Select Health is a nonprofit health plan in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado, with more than one million members across the United States. A long-time EDCUtah investor, Select Health offers commercial and government medical plans, as well as dental, wellness products, and pharmacy benefit management. Its integration with key clinical partners and hospital systems helps ensure high-quality healthcare at the lowest possible cost for members and the community. 

We caught up with Dan Richards, head of commercial sales, to learn more about the organization’s strategies and experiences in the Utah marketplace.

What message does Select Health have specifically for companies that are considering Utah for an expansion or relocation?

Utah offers a combination that’s hard to find: economic strength, talent availability, and an exceptional quality of life.

From a healthcare perspective, companies coming here can expect a strong, integrated health system with Intermountain Health and a partner in Select Health that understands employer needs. We focus on delivering value — not just coverage, but solutions that help control costs, improve employee health, and support long-term workforce sustainability.

For companies considering Utah, I’d say this: You’re not just choosing a location, you’re choosing a community and a set of partners. Companies can expect a healthcare partner invested not just in benefits administration, but in the long-term health and success of their people and the communities where they live and work.

What quality-of-life rankings are currently on your radar for Utah? What role does Select Health play in supporting Utah's high quality of life?

Utah consistently stands out for its strong quality-of-life fundamentals: things like economic opportunity, access to the outdoors, education, and overall community well-being. What’s especially important to us is how health fits into that picture.

As part of a nonprofit, integrated health system with Intermountain Health, Select Health can take a long-term, community-focused approach to health. By aligning coverage with care delivery, we focus on prevention, access, and affordability — not just treating illness, but supporting healthier lives over time. That model helps individuals stay well, employers maintain a productive workforce, and communities remain strong.

We also pay close attention to rankings related to access to care, community health outcomes, and affordability, because they directly affect employers’ ability to attract and retain talent. From our perspective, Utah’s strength is how these factors come together to support both business success and quality of life.

Across our markets, including Utah, we work with hundreds of community partners and reach well over a million individuals each year through outreach and engagement efforts. Our goal is simple: help people live the healthiest lives possible, and in doing so, contribute to the overall vitality and livability that Utah is known for. That’s why we invest in addressing broader social factors like transportation, food security, and community support systems.

How does Select Health regard Utah as a place to do business?

The Utah market is foundational for Select Health. It’s where our roots are, and it continues to be one of the most dynamic and attractive places to do business in the country. Being part of an integrated health system also allows us to collaborate closely across care and coverage, which supports both employers and the broader economy.

We see Utah as a growth market, but also as a partnership market. There’s a strong alignment here between employers, healthcare systems, and organizations like EDCUtah that are focused on long-term economic and community development.

For us, success in Utah isn’t just about market share—it’s about being deeply embedded in the ecosystem, supporting employers, and helping build a healthier workforce that can sustain the state’s continued growth.

What’s your presence in Utah in terms of employees and offices?

Utah is home to our largest operational footprint. With nearly 2,000 employees who consider our Green Street Campus in Murray their home office, we have a significant employee base in the state. Our parent company, Intermountain Health, is also deeply rooted in Utah, with caregivers from Salt Lake to St. George.

Beyond physical presence, our teams are deeply engaged across the state, working with employers, providers, brokers, and community organizations to support business growth and population health.

What investments has Select Health recently made in Utah in terms of infrastructure, community development, or business development?

Our investments in Utah span both healthcare delivery and broader community development. Because we’re part of a nonprofit health system, our investments are designed to stay local and support long-term community health. That includes technology and care management capabilities, prevention and mental well-being initiatives, and programs that help employers manage healthcare costs while supporting their employees’ health.

From a community perspective, we’ve significantly expanded our collaboration with local organizations focused on social determinants of health—things like housing stability, food access, and education. That work alone has reached over a million individuals through hundreds of touchpoints and partnerships.

We also invest in employer-facing capabilities, such as tools, programs, and services that help Utah companies manage healthcare costs while improving employee health outcomes.

And just as important, we continue to invest in our people and operations here, ensuring we have the infrastructure and talent in place to support the growing employer base in Utah.

Any new investments or programs on the immediate horizon?

Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding access, improving affordability, and strengthening employer partnerships.

That includes continued investment in digital tools, care navigation, and programs that support whole-person health—especially as employers look for more holistic solutions for their workforce. These advancements are designed to make healthcare easier to navigate and improve health outcomes.

We’re also continuing to deepen our work in the community—working with organizations that are addressing upstream factors that impact health, because we know that’s essential to long-term sustainability for both individuals and businesses.

How does EDCUtah fit into your market strategy?‍

EDCUtah is an important partner for us because they sit at the center of business attraction and expansion in the state.

Your work connecting businesses, policymakers, and community leaders complements our focus on creating environments where people and organizations can thrive. Collaboration like this strengthens Utah’s ability to attract employers while supporting sustainable growth.

As companies evaluate Utah, healthcare and health insurance are critical to that decision, both in terms of cost and the ability to attract and retain talent. Through our partnership, we’re able to help ensure those companies understand the strength of the healthcare ecosystem here and what Select Health can offer.

It’s really about alignment—we’re both working toward the same outcome: a strong, growing, and sustainable business environment in Utah.

For more information, visit www.Select Health.org. “Building Together” highlights examples of the impact of your investment and EDCUtah’s work in communities across the state. Do you have a story you’d like us to share? Email connect@edcutah.org.