The 2026 Report on Affordability in Health Care details how payer-provider partnerships move beyond fragmented billing to prioritize preventative outcomes. According to ACHP President and CEO Ceci Connolly, these models prove that high-quality medical care and fiscal efficiency are not mutually exclusive. By focusing on coordinated interventions, member plans have managed to mitigate expensive emergency room visits and streamline medication management.

Case studies underscore the financial and clinical impact of these strategies. Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin eliminated a mental health waitlist while generating $4 million in savings, and Jefferson Health Plans saved up to $1.25 million by reducing avoidable hospital readmissions. Similarly, HealthPartners saw a 32 percent decline in weight-loss drug cost trends through personalized diabetes management, while Health Alliance Plan by Henry Ford Health improved patient A1C levels, resulting in nearly $600,000 in savings. These results highlight a shift toward local, value-driven coverage across the 46 states where ACHP members operate.