Work With Us

Strong, collaborative partnerships among health care stakeholders are necessary to deliver on the promise of a high-value health care system. The UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care (Center) and the UPMC Insurance Services Division (ISD) actively pursue extramural funding opportunities that have the potential to improve clinical practice and optimize care delivery. The Center invites clinical and academic researchers, health care professionals, policy and advocacy organizations,and community organizations to partner with us to conduct or participate in health services research and evaluation.

Potential collaborators should be aware that we prioritize collaborations that are aligned with UPMC’s strategic objectives and are most likely to benefit our members. We encourage potential collaborators to review our Guidelines for Conducting Collaborative Research with the Center.

The Center believes that how we work is as important as what we accomplish. For that reason, our work and interactions with collaborators are guided by the values of UPMC ISD:

• PARTNERSHIP – We believe positive partnerships and teamwork improve results.
• RESPECT – We treat others as they want to be treated.
• INTEGRITY – We do what is right.
• INNOVATION – We create products and services for current and future success.
• INCLUSION – We champion dignity and respect.
• DEVELOPMENT – We invest in our staff members’ continued growth and satisfaction.
• EXCELLENCE – We strive for "best-in-class" practices and outcomes.
• SERVICE – We view exceptional service to all customers as a critical differentiator.

How to Work With Us

The Center can support extramurally funded projects by facilitating or providing:

• Letters of Support from UPMC ISD*
• UPMC ISD Representation on a Stakeholder Advisory Board/Research Committee
• Research Consulting (research or evaluation design, quantitative or qualitative methods expertise)
• Formal Research Collaboration and Proposal Development
• Data Requests**

All requests are reviewed and approved by the UPMC ISD’s Research and Quality Improvement Committee (RQIC). RQIC is an executive committee comprising clinical leadership, health services researchers, business owners, and representatives from the UPMC ISD’s Legal, Privacy, and Data Governance offices.

Because health insurance is a highly regulated industry, approved research collaboration requests are subject to additional legal and privacy reviews by UPMC ISD, contract requirements, and state or federal approvals. We encourage potential collaborators to reach out to us early in their planning to avoid project delays.

Collaboration Requests can be initiated by completing our Research Collaboration Request Form. 

*UPMC ISD will provide Letters of Support for projects aligned with our research and organizational priorities.

**Collaborators may inquire about cost data or collaborative cost analyses; however, the UPMC ISD generally does not disclose cost or payment information directly to collaborators.

About the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care
The UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care, housed within the UPMC Insurance Services Division, translates the work of the UPMC Health Plan, Community Care Behavioral Health, Workpartners, and the organization's additional integrated partner companies into evidence-based practice and policy change for improving health care quality and efficiency and the overall health of the population. Many activities are conducted in UPMC's unique payer-provider laboratory and supported through grants and contracts carried out in partnership with community organizations and government agencies.

Contact Us
412-454-8400 highvaluehealthcare@upmc.edu
Pittsburgh, PA