What You Should Know:
– A new report from KLAS Research, “Healthcare Management Consulting 2025: Which Firms Are Best Positioned to Address Clients’ Evolving Needs?“, provides critical insights into the performance and capabilities of various consulting firms across key segments.
– The research, building on findings from the 2024 report, aims to help healthcare and payer organizations identify firms best suited to meet their complex requirements, focusing on expertise, actionable deliverables, and achieved outcomes.
– The data for this April 2025 report was collected between August 2023 and February 2025, a different timeframe than the 2025 Best in KLAS awards.
Key Market Trends: Financial Focus Rises, VBC Evolves
The KLAS report identifies notable shifts in consulting demand. The number of validated financial/clinical improvement consulting engagements has seen a steady increase since 2022. While strategy, growth, and consolidation was the top reported priority in 2024, organizations are now increasingly pursuing financial and clinical improvements as a means to fuel those strategic growth ambitions, particularly in navigating margin pressures.
Conversely, value-based care consulting engagements have declined since their 2019 peak. Organizations already operating under VBC models are now often prioritizing financial viability and risk management of existing VBC contracts (falling under financial/clinical improvement) or focusing on negotiating reimbursement contracts with payers (addressed by payer strategy and contracting consulting).
Healthcare Management Consulting Performance
– Impact Advisors garnered the highest overall performance score (95.4) in this report, noted for strong performance in financial/clinical improvement and human capital consulting. Clients highlighted the firm’s expertise, engaged leadership, and ability to consistently meet expectations, reporting high value.
– Chartis achieved an overall score of 95.3 and has the highest number of validated engagements overall, leading in financial/clinical improvement, strategy, growth & consolidation, and digital transformation consulting. Recognized as the Overall Healthcare Management Consulting Firm in the 2025 Best in KLAS report for the fifth consecutive year, Chartis is lauded for its strategic guidance, strong partnerships, and ability to tailor engagement scopes. Chartis serves a range of organization sizes, including academic medical centers and smaller hospitals.
– Deloitte (overall score 93.9) is frequently chosen by very large organizations (2,000+ beds) and academic medical centers. The firm stands out for its digital transformation consulting and is valued for strong partnerships and broad expertise.
– Guidehouse (overall score 93.4) also serves very large clients and academic medical centers. It has the most validated engagements for VBC consulting and is one of two firms with validated data in payer strategy and contracting. Clients report high satisfaction with executive involvement.
– ECG Management Consultants (overall score 92.8) is unique for having validated engagements across all six HMC areas. It is frequently used by smaller organizations and ambulatory care facilities. Trust is a key strength, with clients citing reliability and professionalism.
– Huron (overall score 92.3) is noted for its healthcare-specific expertise, tailored advice based on proven best practices, and strong project management.
Ensuring Successful Consulting Partnerships
The KLAS report emphasizes that while poor engagement experiences are uncommon (5%-10% of clients report gaps), certain factors are crucial for success. Clients desire experienced consultants, a close partnership with the firm, and expertise tailored to their unique needs. When these elements are lacking, engagements are perceived as less valuable.
For more information visit https://klasresearch.com/report/healthcare-management-consulting-2025-which-firms-are-best-positioned-to-address-clients-evolving-needs/3501
