Data security is a top priority, and going into any relationship with a vendor should include an understanding of who owns the data being used. (Image: Shutterstock)

At a time of unparalleled complexity in employee benefits, data has become one of the most important factors in both holding down costs and ensuring quality of service. So, for self-funded health plans and other purchasers, data warehousing and analytics have become an important part of providing benefits.

The additional complexity of these areas can seem overwhelming, and employers are usually dependent on third-party platforms to help with data management and analytics. A new report from Catalyst for Payment Reform (CPR) outlines practical steps employers and other purchasers can take to find the best partners in data management.

Related: Digging deeper: Health data mining platforms surge ahead