Within the context of population health management, what is the purpose of risk stratification?

• A. To categorize members by risk level to tailor interventions and allocate resources efficiently.
• B. To enroll all members into a single default plan.
• C. To increase administrative burden without improving care.
• D. To assess provider salaries.

Answer: (A)

Risk stratification in population health management groups members by risk level so that interventions and resources can be tailored and allocated where they’re most needed. By identifying who is high risk, medium risk, or low risk, programs can focus intensive case management, care coordination, and preventive services on those with the greatest potential to benefit, while still providing appropriate support to others. This improves health outcomes and cost efficiency by preventing complications, avoiding unnecessary hospital use, and aligning care with each patient’s needs. The other options miss the core purpose: enrolling everyone in a single default plan ignores risk differences; increasing administrative burden without improving care wastes resources; and assessing provider salaries has no direct relation to managing member risk.