FORT WAYNE – Parkview Health, Butler University and Hylant have partnered to launch the 2025 “Healthy Care, Healthy Costs” Innovation Challenge, an ambitious initiative aimed at identifying and accelerating solutions to reduce healthcare costs while improving outcomes for high-risk populations. This marks the fifth iteration of Parkview’s global innovation competition, building on the success of previous challenges focused on maternal, pediatric, and community health.

The initiative began on April 8, 2025, with a “Total Cost of Care Data Challenge” hosted at Butler University, where 10 student teams analyzed Medicaid patient data provided by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Their objective: identify the most significant cost drivers in the state’s healthcare system, including chronic conditions, aging, behavioral health, and social determinants of health.

The teams uncovered several critical insights that highlight both the human and financial impact of preventable health issues across Indiana. Among the most compelling findings:

  • Senior Falls Are a Major Health Concern in Indiana
    More than 30% of Indiana seniors experience falls each year, making it a leading cause of injury and illness among older adults. These incidents result in costly emergency care, hospital admissions, and long-term rehabilitation.
  • Physical Inactivity Is Fueling Chronic Conditions
    Only 1 of 4 adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. get enough physical activity, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer –contributing significantly to long-term healthcare spending.
  • Fall Risk Assessments Could Save Lives and Cut Costs
    Making annual fall risk assessments a routine part of senior checkups could save the state of Indiana an estimated $115 million and prevent approximately 41 deaths annually –if just 50% of seniors participated in the assessments.

These findings now form the foundation of this year’s broader challenge, which invites startups, researchers, public health professionals and healthcare leaders to propose solutions that address:

  • Chronic disease prevention and management
  • Behavioral health and lifestyle-related drivers of cost (e.g., falls, smoking, inactivity)
  • Access to care in rural or underserved areas
  • Scalable, tech-enabled screening and early intervention models
  • Cross-sector collaboration to reduce total healthcare spending

The Innovation Challenge follows a structured timeline to identify, support, and accelerate promising healthcare solutions. The application period is open from May 1 to June 22, 2025, inviting applicants to submit detailed proposals for their innovations.

On July 7, 8–10 semi-finalist teams will be selected to advance to the Innovation Competition, held virtually on August 28. There, teams will present their solutions to a panel from Parkview Health. One winning team will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize, and up to five finalist teams will be chosen to join the Accelerator program.

Running from September 8 to October 31, the Accelerator offers teams the opportunity to refine and test their solutions with guidance from Parkview mentors. The challenge concludes on November 20 with a Final Pitch Day, where finalists will present to healthcare professionals, Parkview leaders, and investors as they compete for pilot opportunities and additional funding.

“The Total Cost of Care Data Challenge taught us that rising healthcare costs demand upstream, scalable solutions,” said Ethel Massing, director of Innovation and Strategic Enterprises at Parkview Health. “We’re proud to continue this work with Hylant and Butler University by inviting innovators from around the world to co-create a healthier, more affordable future.”

Parkview has established a track record of bold steps to reduce healthcare costs. Since 2020, Parkview has renegotiated contracts with major health insurance companies, yielding $1.1 billion in total rate reductions.

For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.parkview.com/mirro-center/innovation.

About Parkview Health
Parkview Health is a nonprofit, community-based health system serving a northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio population of more than 1.3 million. With more than 16,000 co-workers, Parkview Health is the region’s largest employer. Parkview has been serving the region since its early beginnings as Fort Wayne City Hospital in 1878. Parkview Health was formed in 1995, and its heritage of care and compassion continues today with 14 hospitals and a network of primary care and specialty physicians. Additional information may be found at parkview.com.

About Butler University
Based in Indianapolis – one of the heartland’s largest and most dynamic cities – Butler University is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Founder’s College. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students are enrolled at Butler, representing 48 states, two U.S. territories, and 31 countries. A Butler education is focused on giving students the tools they need to excel personally and professionally, as demonstrated by the University’s 98 percent placement rate within six months of graduation. Butler University is the No. 1 ranked regional university in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, in addition to being included in The Princeton Review’s annual “best colleges” guidebook.

About Hylant
Since 1935, Hylant has been helping clients identify and address risk-related challenges before they become unmanageable by delivering solutions unique to their circumstances. Today, the firm is among the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the United States, renowned for its expertise and high-touch service. Hylant offers insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting services for businesses and individuals locally, nationally and internationally.