Vendor accountability is a topic that has risen to prominence as health care costs continue to soar and vendor ecosystems grow more complex. Against a backdrop of unprecedented cost increases—54% cumulative increase since 2016—and employer efforts to shield employees from affordability challenges, the discussion highlights why holding vendors to higher standards is critical for employers.

With 27% of employers identifying vendor effectiveness as a top priority for 2025, Jim Winkler and Magda Rusinowski of Business Group on Health discuss how employers can drive accountability from vendor partners around the globe by demanding transparency in both data and contract terms, fostering collaboration across a complex vendor ecosystem, and establishing clear success metrics.