Transparency

Platform Methodology

Every score, benchmark, vendor profile, and analysis on this platform follows a documented methodology. This overview explains what each system considers, what data informs it, and where its limitations lie.

Evaluation methodology

One evaluation framework. Every tool. Every vendor.

EBIQ applies a consistent evaluation lens across tools, vendor intelligence, and practical plan reviews — the EBIQ Evaluation Framework™. The HPHP Framework™ is the strategic methodology that evaluation framework is built to support.

Cost

Transparency

Contract

Integration

Clinical value

Employee experience

Data access

Implementation

Flexibility

Fiduciary alignment

Explore the HPHP Framework™

1 of 4 · Scoring

Benefits IQ Score™

An ongoing operational view across 12 performance domains, informed by employer profile information and completed EBIQ tools and reviews.

How the score is calculated

Each performance domain receives a sub-score based on information available through completed tools and reviews.
Domain sub-scores are weighted and combined into an overall operational view.
Confidence indicators show how much underlying information supports each domain.
The view can change as additional plan information and assessment results are added.

Important limitation

The Benefits IQ Score™ is educational decision support, not a certified audit or actuarial analysis.
It does not guarantee cost, savings, compliance, or outcomes; plan documents, data, contracts, and professional review may change the picture.

2 of 4 · Benchmarking

Benchmark methodology

EBIQ labels benchmark sources by type so employers can distinguish public data, maturity guidance, and regulatory thresholds.

Statistical benchmarks

Percentile information from recognized surveys and published research, reviewed as new editions become available.
Examples include contribution levels, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and employer cost measures.

Maturity frameworks

For questions without a public benchmark, EBIQ uses documented practice-based maturity guidance.
These are identified as EBIQ best practice rather than represented as external survey data.

Regulatory guardrails

Legal thresholds issued by agencies such as the IRS, CMS, DOL, and HHS.
Values are reviewed for the applicable plan year as official guidance changes.

3 of 4 · Vendor intelligence

Vendor comparison methodology

Vendor profiles combine public disclosures, vendor-supplied information, and independent research. Each profile identifies its source-confidence status.

Public source

Regulatory filings, public disclosures, press releases, and other independently accessible information.

Vendor supplied

Information submitted directly by a vendor and identified as vendor supplied.

Verified

Information cross-referenced against independent sources when available.

Vendor data limitation

Pricing, terms, and services can change. Employers should confirm current details with vendors before making procurement decisions.

4 of 4 · Analysis

Analysis methodology

EBIQ uses rules-based logic, AI-assisted review, and human-reviewed content in different contexts. Tools should be interpreted according to their stated purpose and limitations.

Rules-based scoring

Some tools use defined logic and regulatory thresholds so equivalent inputs produce equivalent results.

AI-assisted analysis

Some document-review tools use structured rubrics to help identify provisions that may deserve further review.

Human-reviewed content

Published educational content and benchmark materials are reviewed before publication.

AI limitation

AI-assisted output is educational and informational only. It is not legal, actuarial, medical, fiduciary, or financial advice.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

Questions about this methodology? Contact Corry Hull.

To report a data error, use the corrections form.