Bridging Data and Operations: How Cactus Supports Health Plan Data

Working as a Health Plan Reporting & Analytics Management Consultant with Cactus Healthcare Resources has given me the opportunity to create meaningful partnerships between data and operations teams. My current role supporting a healthcare system with its own health plan has highlighted how the right approach to business intelligence can transform healthcare quality metrics. By leveraging both my technical expertise and healthcare administration background (MHSA), I’ve been able to bridge the gap between complex data systems and practical operational needs. 

When I first began working with this client, there was a lack of communication between the health plan and IT teams. They were making important decisions without the full context that their own systems contained. I established close relationships with the leaders and power users in the health plan to address their outstanding requests and create an open line of communication for future needs. These discussions informed the development of PowerBI dashboards that presented relevant data in accessible formats. Rather than overwhelming users with technical metrics, we focused on creating comprehensive data sets and visualizations that allowed the users to find insights in the data directly.  

Building trust with the health plan team and leadership proved essential to our success. I was able to develop an understanding both their technical needs and business priorities, positioning myself as a partner rather than just a technical resource. Regular communication, consistent follow-through, and a willingness to adapt as requirements evolved helped establish credibility with operational leaders. As trust grew, so did our collaborative capabilities. Health plan leadership began involving me in strategic discussions earlier, sharing challenges more openly, and embracing more innovative approaches to data solutions. This relationship foundation allowed me to function effectively as a bridge between technical possibilities and operational realities, ensuring that our data initiatives remained aligned with organizational goals. The partnerships we’ve built have proven as valuable as the technical solutions themselves, creating a sustainable framework for continued quality improvement. 

As an example of the impact we’ve had is with HEDIS quality measure scores. Through methodical analysis of core measures, we identified gaps in both data collection and reporting processes that were affecting our scores. We successfully implemented solutions for improved data capture and integrated additional datasets to address data gaps. This collaborative approach resulted in an improvement from a 3-star to a 4.5-star Medicaid plan rating, putting us in the top 14 highest rated Medicaid plans in the United States. 

Beyond the metrics, I’ve observed a meaningful evolution in how the organization approaches data. The operations team has developed greater confidence in using analytics tools to drive decisions and measure outcomes. I now serve as a liaison between operations and IT, helping translate business requirements into technical specifications and ensuring our solutions deliver meaningful value. This partnership has created a positive cycle where improved data access leads to better decisions, which in turn generates interest in more sophisticated analytics capabilities. 

My experience has reinforced that effective healthcare technology implementation requires more than just technical skill. The most valuable improvements come from combining clinical knowledge, operational expertise, and appropriate technology in service of patient care. At Cactus Healthcare Resources, this collaborative approach defines how we support our clients, and I’m proud to contribute to meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery through thoughtful data integration.