What is an HPI Score?

SIMPLE EXPLANATION

Think of an HPI Score like a credit score for healthcare decisions.

Lower HPI Scores are often associated with higher healthcare costs due to inefficient use of benefits.

An HPI Score (Health Performance Index) measures how effectively an individual understands and uses healthcare benefits.

Healthcare costs are not driven by illness alone—they are also shaped by how care is accessed, selected, and managed. The HPI Score provides a structured way to evaluate that knowledge and decision-making ability.


WHAT THE SCORE MEASURES

The HPI Score evaluates key areas of healthcare knowledge:

  • Preventative Care Awareness
    Understanding when and how to use preventive services to reduce long-term health risks
  • Healthcare Navigation
    Choosing the appropriate care setting (primary care, urgent care, or emergency room)
  • Medication & Treatment Understanding
    Awareness of prescriptions, treatment options, and proper adherence
  • Cost & Decision-Making
    Making informed choices that balance health outcomes and financial impact

SCORING RANGE

HPI Scores range from 300 to 900, similar to a credit scoring model.

  • 700–900: Strong healthcare decision-making knowledge
  • 500–699: Moderate understanding with opportunities for improvement
  • 300–499: Higher likelihood of inefficient or costly healthcare decisions

Lower scores often indicate a greater risk of unnecessary healthcare spending.


WHY IT MATTERS FOR EMPLOYERS

For employers, HPI Scores provide insight into how healthcare benefits are being used—without accessing personal medical data.

This allows organizations to:

  • Identify patterns that may contribute to unnecessary healthcare costs
  • Recognize areas where employees may benefit from additional guidance
  • Improve benefit utilization through targeted education and awareness
  • Support long-term healthcare cost reduction strategies

NEXT STEP

Interested in how HPI can help reduce healthcare costs in your organization?

The HPI Assessment is not a public quiz—it is part of a structured program designed to deliver meaningful insights to organizations.

It is currently offered through guided pilot programs with employers and organizations.

Contact us to explore a pilot or request more information

Luther Gilford, MBA
Founder & Standards Director
HPI Institute
info@hpiinstitute.org