Health Economic Outcomes Research (HEOR): Bridging Clinical Impact with Economic Value

As healthcare systems across the globe strive to balance rising costs with improved patient outcomes, Health Economic Outcomes Research (HEOR) has emerged as a critical component in decision-making. HEOR not only informs payers and providers but also shapes policy, pricing strategies, and formulary access for therapies and interventions. It connects clinical efficacy with economic efficiency, helping stakeholders evaluate the value of health interventions in the real world.

At CliEvi, our experts bring together economic modeling, clinical understanding, and publication skills to support robust HEOR studies. From protocol design to peer-reviewed publication, we offer full-cycle services tailored to industry, academic, and regulatory expectations.

What is HEOR?

Health Economic Outcomes Research evaluates both clinical outcomes and economic impact of healthcare interventions, treatments, or policies. HEOR studies answer questions such as:

• Is this drug or intervention cost-effective?
• How does this therapy affect hospitalization rates or healthcare resource utilization?
• What is the budget impact of adopting a new treatment?
• How does the quality of life change with long-term use?

HEOR typically combines:

1. Economic Evaluations
• Cost-effectiveness Analysis (CEA)
• Cost-utility Analysis (CUA)
• Cost-benefit Analysis (CBA)
• Budget Impact Models (BIM)
2. Patient Outcomes Research
• Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
• Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs)
• Real-world Effectiveness Studies
• Resource Utilization Assessments

Why HEOR is Essential in Modern Healthcare

1. Supports Evidence-Based Policy Making

HEOR helps governments and health insurance providers determine which interventions offer the best value for money. This informs pricing, reimbursement, and national formulary decisions.

2. Informs Market Access and Pricing Strategy

Pharma and medtech companies rely on HEOR to demonstrate value propositions that support product launches and access negotiations.

3. Enables Comparative Effectiveness

HEOR uses modeling and real-world evidence to compare the clinical and economic performance of competing therapies.

4. Enhances Patient-Centricity

With increasing emphasis on quality of life and functional outcomes, HEOR integrates patient-reported outcomes to ensure interventions benefit patients holistically.

Where HEOR is Published

High-quality HEOR research is frequently published in journals with broad clinical and policy impact. Key journals include:

• Value in Health (ISPOR)
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Health Economics
• Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
• The European Journal of Health Economics
• BMJ Open (HEOR Supplement)
• PLOS ONE (Health Policy Section)

These journals value clarity, methodological rigor, and relevance to real-world healthcare challenges.

How CliEvi Supports HEOR Research and Publication

At CliEvi, we don’t just run numbers—we contextualize outcomes, write for impact, and publish for visibility. Our support spans the entire HEOR lifecycle:

1. Study Design and Protocol Development

We assist in crafting study protocols aligned with the specific objectives, data availability, and regional regulatory expectations. Our team ensures:

• Alignment with ISPOR, CHEERS, and PRISMA guidelines
• Selection of appropriate models (e.g., Markov, decision trees)
• Population, cost, and outcome inputs from validated sources
• Adaptation for regional or global scope

2. Data Collection and Integration

We use and integrate data from:

• Claims databases
• EHRs/EMRs
• National health surveys (e.g., NFHS, MEPS)
• Public health registries
• Clinical trial outcomes

We ensure data is de-identified, harmonized, and validated for use in cost and effectiveness models.

3. Economic Modeling and Outcomes Analysis

Our HEOR analysts and biostatisticians build transparent, reproducible models using:

• TreeAge, Excel, and R
• Monte Carlo simulations
• Time horizon and sensitivity analyses
• QALY and ICER computation
• Budget Impact Analysis (BIA)

We document all assumptions clearly, creating models that can be adapted for different countries or payer perspectives.

4. Patient Outcomes & Quality of Life Assessment

We incorporate PRO instruments such as:

• EQ-5D
• SF-36
• EORTC QLQ-C30
• PROMIS

Data can be collected from trials, registries, or literature to support quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and utility weight estimates.

5. Medical Writing and Journal Submission

Our writing team includes domain-specific HEOR experts who:

• Draft systematic reviews, economic evaluations, or real-world studies
• Ensure adherence to CHEERS and ISPOR standards
• Optimize for journal requirements
• Manage submission, peer review responses, and revisions

6. Regulatory and HTA Support

We support dossier preparation for:

• HTA agencies (e.g., NICE, CADTH, IQWiG)
• Global Value Dossiers (GVD)
• Pricing and Reimbursement Files
• Payer Presentations and Slide Decks

Real-World Applications of HEOR

• Chronic Disease Management
  Evaluating the lifetime cost-effectiveness of diabetes medications or hypertension management strategies.
• Oncology Therapeutics
  Assessing budget impact and value-based pricing for targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
• Vaccination Programs
  Estimating economic and societal benefits of national immunization initiatives.
• Rare Disease Treatments
  Justifying reimbursement for high-cost orphan drugs using cost-per-QALY thresholds.
• Digital Health Innovations
  Demonstrating ROI of remote monitoring tools, mHealth apps, and AI-based diagnostic platforms.

High Impact Factor Journal Support

CliEvi specializes in helping clients target and publish in impactful HEOR journals. We:

• Help identify the most suitable journal based on your topic and audience
• Draft and polish manuscripts with precise economic argumentation
• Support open-access strategies and preprint dissemination
• Manage revisions, citations, and layout formatting

Compliance and Ethical Considerations

We follow the CHEERS checklist for economic studies and ensure all data sources are cited transparently. Our ethical review process supports:

• Informed consent (if applicable)
• Data privacy (HIPAA, GDPR)
• Declaration of conflicts and funding
• Clear reporting of assumptions and limitations

Why Partner with CliEvi?

• Multidisciplinary Expertise: Clinical, economic, epidemiological, and statistical experts on one team.
• Global Perspective: Experience with multi-country and payer-specific adaptations.
• Fast Turnaround: Agile team, responsive project management, and end-to-end execution.
• Quality and Credibility: Focus on peer-reviewed publications and regulatory acceptance.

Conclusion

Health Economic Outcomes Research (HEOR) is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’—it is a strategic imperative in modern healthcare. Whether you’re building a case for a new therapy, seeking payer approval, or aiming for scientific publication, CliEvi offers you the tools, insight, and expert guidance to succeed. From models to manuscripts, we’re here to maximize your impact.