Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our services, team, pricing, and how we work with health systems and practices.

What type of services do you offer?

Process & Governance, Analytics & Implementation, and Strategic Data Consulting. See each service page for capabilities and typical deliverables.

What’s the difference between these services?

Governance sets ownership, definitions, and process. Analytics builds pipelines, reports, and models. Strategy sets direction, roadmap, and technology choices–including AI readiness.

Are you just one person or a team?

Led by Kevin W. Thornton, with more than 15 years in healthcare data. We scale projects with the right specialists when needed–without unnecessary overhead.

How do you compete with large consulting firms?

Senior consultants stay involved. You get direct access and clear communication–not junior staff and account layers.

What if our project needs expertise you don’t have?

We coordinate specialists for areas outside our core expertise–AI engineers, specialized data architects, or industry-specific consultants. You maintain a single point of contact while accessing the capabilities you need.

Do you work with rural health systems?

Yes. We work with health systems and practices of all sizes, with a special focus on rural and critical access hospitals and health systems.

What type of pricing plans do you offer?

Most of our projects are billed on an hourly basis, plus incidentals like travel costs.

Our retainer plans have a flat monthly rate which include a guaranteed number of hours, with a reduced hourly rate once the included hours are used.

For cost-savings projects, we offer a lower hourly rate, with a bonus based on achieved savings.

Other options can be negotiated as well.

Are there any costs for initial meetings or discussions?

Unless you require an in person meeting, there are no costs until work begins. If you prefer to meet in person, then travel costs will be invoiced after the initial meeting.

Why don’t you offer permanent contracts?

We are consultants, not staff augmentation. We engage when the problem is too big, too new, or too time-sensitive for your team to handle alone.

For clients that want to ensure our availability, we offer retainer plans to keep time reserved for situations that may come up.

How long does it take to get started?

Usually within one week for urgent work, or two to three weeks for standard engagements. Timing depends on our current workload and the complexity of the project.