HiLabs and Harvard Researchers Partner to Study Ghost Networks in Medicare Advantage

HiLabs and Dr. Thomas Tsai of Harvard University have begun a multi-year collaboration to examine provider network adequacy and ghost networks within Medicare Advantage plans, announced in a press release.

The research will measure access to care and identify gaps between listed and accessible providers across the 35 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage. HiLabs will contribute real world provider data and its AI powered ghost network detection to support this work.

Dr. Tsai, a faculty member at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, will lead studies assessing network adequacy, provider availability, and the impact of inaccurate directories on patient outcomes.

HiLabs delivers data intelligence tools that help health plans meet federal network and directory accuracy standards. The collaboration’s findings will inform regulators and health plan leaders about where provider access gaps are most severe and how to improve network reliability nationwide.