April 15, 2025 – In a powerful collaboration to address the rising cost of healthcare, Hylant, Parkview Health, and Butler University launched a dynamic, data-driven initiative aimed at identifying the root causes of high healthcare spending. The “Total Cost of Care Data Challenge” kicked off on March 20, 2025, at Butler University, bringing together 10 student teams tasked with analyzing Medicaid patient data provided by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).
Their mission: uncover key drivers of healthcare costs—such as chronic conditions, social determinants of health, and demographic influences—through actionable, data-backed insights. With Indiana ranking among the top 10 least healthy states and experiencing elevated rates of chronic disease and mortality, the initiative sought to highlight cost-effective strategies to reduce acute care needs and improve outcomes.
On April 8, five finalist teams advanced to present their findings to a panel of judges representing Parkview Health, Butler University, Hylant, Blue Agilis, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and FSSA. Their presentations tackled complex issues, including:
- Chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes
- Behavioral and lifestyle factors such as smoking and falls
- Disparities in rural vs. urban healthcare access
The teams uncovered several critical insights that highlight both the human and financial impact of preventable health issues across Indiana. Among the most compelling findings were:
- Senior Falls Are a Major Health Concern in Indiana
More than 30% of Indiana seniors experience falls each year, making it a leading cause of injury and illness among older adults. - Physical Inactivity Is Fueling Chronic Conditions
Only 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older in the U.S. get enough physical activity, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. - Fall Risk Assessments Could Save Lives and Cut Costs
Making annual fall risk assessments a standard part of senior checkups could save the state $115 million and prevent 41 deaths—if just 50% of seniors participated.
The student team recommended expanding fall risk and mobility screenings to begin at age 50 and enhancing Indiana’s All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) with more detailed diagnostic and geographic data. These updates would support more targeted interventions and help reveal disparities in healthcare access and costs between rural and urban populations. Parkview and Hylant could lead the way by piloting early screening programs in underserved communities and advocating for APCD enhancements—demonstrating leadership in reducing preventable healthcare costs and improving outcomes for seniors across the state. These initiatives could serve as a scalable model for population health management, strengthen public-private collaboration, and position Indiana as a national leader in proactive, data-informed healthcare innovation. Ultimately, the goal is for Indiana legislators to revise Medicaid guidelines so that age alone qualifies seniors for fall risk assessments.
Next up: The “Healthy Care, Healthy Costs Innovation Challenge”
Building on the momentum from the data challenge and past successful innovation challenges, Parkview Health is proud to evolve its focus for the fifth iteration of its global innovation effort.
In partnership with Hylant and Butler University, the upcoming “Healthy Care, Healthy Costs Innovation Challenge” will center on bold, evidence-informed solutions targeting the key cost drivers identified during the April data challenge. Innovators from around the world will be invited to propose scalable interventions that improve health outcomes while lowering total healthcare spend.
Parkview has established a track record of bold steps to reduce healthcare costs. Since 2020, Parkview has renegotiated contracts with major health insurance companies, yielding $1.1 billion in total rate reductions.
Learn more about innovation at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation: https://www.parkview.com/mirro-center/innovation
Overall winner, Team #5, included Butler students Chris Borse, Shums Parkar and Omar Daas (not pictured).
Runner-up, Team #6, included Butler students Sylvia Webster, Anne Weaver, Anna Vadella, Gavin Strickland and Noah Baker.
Team #4 was named the Rising Star, and included Butler students Juan Rosales, Keely Roe, Monthira Benslay and Will Fiorito.
About Butler University
Based in Indianapolis—one of the heartland’s largest and most dynamic cities—Butler University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Founder’s College. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students are enrolled at Butler, representing 48 states, two U.S. territories, and 31 countries. A Butler education is focused on giving students the tools they need to excel personally and professionally, as demonstrated by the University’s 98 percent placement rate within six months of graduation. Butler University is the No. 1 ranked regional university in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, in addition to being included in The Princeton Review’s annual “best colleges” guidebook.
About Hylant
Since 1935, Hylant has been helping clients identify and address risk-related challenges before they become unmanageable by delivering solutions unique to their circumstances. Today, the firm is among the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the United States, renowned for its expertise and high-touch service. Hylant offers insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting services for businesses and individuals locally, nationally and internationally.
About Parkview Health
Parkview Health is a not-for-profit, community-based health system serving a northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio population of more than 1.3 million. Parkview Health’s mission is to improve health and inspire well-being in the communities it serves. With more than 16,000 co-workers, it is the region’s largest employer.
Parkview Health includes 14 hospitals and an extensive network of primary care and specialty care physicians. The flagship Parkview Regional Medical Center campus includes services such as the Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, Parkview Heart Institute, Samaritan flight and ground transport program, Parkview Ortho Hospital, a certified stroke center, verified adult and pediatric trauma centers, Women's & Children's Hospital and an outpatient services center.
Parkview Health is a national leader in patient experience and quality, having most recently earned straight ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group for all eligible hospitals, and the national highest net promoter score among similarly sized health systems.