The Network Effect: Proving the Value of Curated Digital Health

A matched-control claims study of 16,499 health plan members — one of the largest economic evaluations in digital health to date — found that Solera's curated digital health network reduced total cost of care by $1,241 per member over six months. The return: $2.42 for every dollar invested. The study was independently validated by Accorded, LLC, a credentialed actuarial firm (FSA, MAAA), and published in March 2026.

Key Findings

• $1,241 — Total cost of care reduction per member (medical + pharmacy, six months; 95% CI: $668–$1,814; p=0.013)
• $2.42 — Return on investment per dollar invested (95% CI: $1.30–$3.54)
• 55 — Fewer ER visits and hospitalizations per 1,000 members (41 fewer ER visits + 14 fewer hospitalizations; p<0.001)
• 11% — Approximate reduction in baseline spending for enrolled members after accounting for program fees

Savings were distributed broadly across routine outpatient care (37%), hospital and ER (32%), and pharmacy (31%) — consistent with improved chronic condition management across the full care continuum, not a single-category effect.

Study Design

This is the first claims-based economic evaluation of a curated digital health network spanning multiple chronic conditions and digital health partners. The study followed 16,499 enrolled members alongside 34,892 matched controls over a six-month observation period, measuring all medical and pharmacy claims.

Active Comparator Design

Control members were required to be actively receiving traditional care for the same conditions — via outpatient visits with relevant diagnoses. Savings represent efficiency gains from digital care compared against conventional care already being delivered and paid for.

Rigorous Matching Methodology

Enrolled and control members were matched using exact temporal matching (controlling for seasonal variation), coarsened exact matching on total cost of care, and propensity score matching across 50+ variables — all balanced below standard thresholds. Additional controls included doubly robust estimation, vaccination rate proxy for healthy user bias, Elixhauser comorbidity adjustment, and continuous coverage adjustment.

No Favorable Subgroup Selection

High-cost members were not removed. Favorable subgroups were not selected after the fact. Results reflect a real health plan population, including the members who cost the most.

Independent Validation

Accorded, LLC (FSA, MAAA), a credentialed actuarial firm, independently reviewed the study methodology, statistical approach, and code implementation, confirming it is consistent with industry-accepted standards for healthcare cost analysis.

Conditions Studied

The study covered five chronic condition categories: diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal (MSK), weight management, and mental health — delivered through Solera's curated network of 25+ digital health partners via a single health plan integration.

Population-Level Implications

At targeted enrollment levels, the results translate to an estimated 2%–4% reduction in total plan claims costs. For a health plan with 100,000 members, that represents $12 million to $24 million in annual savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does digital health actually reduce total cost of care?In a matched-control study of 16,499 health plan members, Solera's curated digital health network reduced total cost of care by $1,241 per member over six months — across medical and pharmacy claims combined. The study used an active comparator design, meaning savings reflect gains compared against members already receiving conventional care.

What is the ROI of a curated digital health network?The Network Effect study found a $2.42 return for every dollar invested in Solera's curated digital health network over six months, with a lower confidence interval bound of $1.30 per dollar — meaning the return remained positive even under conservative assumptions.

How does Solera's model differ from traditional digital health point solutions?Solera connects health plans and employers to 25+ digital health partners across eight condition categories through a single contract and integration. Members are matched to programs based on clinical risk and acuity. Health plans pay only when members meaningfully engage and achieve clinical outcomes — not on enrollment or recurring fees regardless of participation.

Who validated this study?Accorded, LLC, a credentialed actuarial consulting firm (FSA, MAAA), independently reviewed the study methodology, statistical approach, and code implementation. Their review confirmed the analysis is consistent with industry-accepted standards for healthcare cost analysis.

What conditions does the Solera network cover?The Network Effect study covered diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal disorders, weight management, and mental health. The Solera network spans eight condition categories in total, with additional condition-specific analyses planned.

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