Black Book Survey of 1,200+ Executives Names Top-Rated Advisory Firms for Strategic, ROI-Driven Transformation

WASHINGTON, D.C., 3683 / ACCESS Newswire / July 13, 2025 / A new survey of 1,202 executives from national, regional, and specialty health plans reveals surging demand for expert consulting services as payers face unprecedented digital, financial, and regulatory transformation. The Q2 2025 Black Book Research study ranks the top-performing advisory firms in each priority area, based on client satisfaction, outcomes, ROI, and 18 proprietary key performance indicators.

Strategic Priorities: Survey Highlights

For 2025-2026, health plans cite value-based reimbursement, artificial intelligence, digital integration, compliance, and consumer engagement as their top areas for advisory firm engagement. Ninety-two percent of executives expressed a preference for independent, vendor-neutral consultants to ensure actionable, unbiased guidance.

Top-Ranked Payer IT Advisory Firms

Value-Based Care & Reimbursement Optimization
Ranked by performance in provider alignment, financial impact, and contract innovation

CareAllies: (#1 for eight consecutive years): Highest scores for payer-provider collaboration, MA contract model transformation, and value-based enablement.

Lumeris: Top-rated for accountable care strategy, operationalizing value-based initiatives, and STAR ratings improvement.

Milliman: Leader in financial modeling, risk adjustment methodology, and payment analytics for VBC.

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AI & Advanced Analytics Consulting
Ranked by outcomes in automation, forecasting, and operational ROI

SAS Institute - Health & Life Sciences: Highest for actuarial forecasting, claims automation, and predictive fraud detection tools.

Optum Advisory Services: Client satisfaction leader for second year in AI-powered modeling, analytics deployment, and clinical data use.

Fractal Analytics: Recognized for intelligent automation, AI maturity frameworks, and operationalization of analytics.

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Digital Health Strategy & Ecosystem Integration
Rated for digital platform enablement, virtual care, and infrastructure modernization

Chartis Group: #1 for virtual care strategy, digital health transformation, and infrastructure integration.

PwC Health Industries Advisory: Rated for comprehensive digital planning, interoperability, and patient/member engagement strategies.

Huron Consulting Group: Top client marks for readiness assessments, digital ops alignment, and IT modernization support.

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Regulatory Compliance & CMS Audit Readiness
Evaluated on compliance outcomes, risk mitigation, and audit performance

Deloitte: Highest client scores in regulatory tech implementation and CMS audit response readiness.

Inovalon Consulting & Analytics: Leader in audit risk reduction through analytics and compliance advisory.

Guidehouse: Top marks for proven success in RADV audits, risk adjustment, and regulatory readiness.

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Pricing Transparency & Consumer Engagement
Assessed by transparency tool effectiveness, consumer experience, and enrollment optimization

Softheon: #1 in ACA enrollment, member-facing quoting platforms, and transparency integration.

ZS Associates: Strong client outcomes in benefit pricing, segmentation, and digital experience design.

EY-Parthenon: Trusted for journey mapping, behavioral economics, and consumer digital strategy.

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Key Trends Driving 2026 Advisory Demand

Survey respondents identified four primary trends fueling the need for external consulting partners:

Generative AI in claims and prior authorization.

Predictive analytics for cost, quality, and patient/member engagement.

ROI-based digital health evaluations to ensure investments deliver measurable returns.

CMS compliance and audit preparedness as oversight expands.

"Health plans are navigating the most complex transformation period in recent memory," said Doug Brown, President of Black Book Research. "Executives are choosing external advisory partners for their track record of measurable outcomes, unbiased insight, and proven client satisfaction-especially as value-based care, AI, and digital health become the foundation of payer strategy."

About the Survey
The Q2 2025 Black Book Research survey gathered responses from 1,202 validated health plan, PBM, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and commercial payer executives. Advisory firms were evaluated and ranked on 18 KPIs, including outcomes, ROI, responsiveness, innovation, strategic alignment, and client satisfaction. Contact: research@healthplaninsights.com | 800-863-7590 | www.blackbookmarketresearch.com

SOURCE: Black Book Research