CRA Financial & Consulting Group
Guiding Puerto Rico’s Health Sector with Vision and Heart

In Puerto Rico’s complex healthcare and financial consulting landscape, one firm has emerged as a pillar of integrity and patient-focused innovation when assessing different medical care providers who collectively serve over 500,000 lives.

CRA Financial & Consulting Group, founded by Carmen Ramos de Alba, CPA, is a standout organization that has reshaped the way healthcare stakeholders think about operational strategy, compliance, community impact, and the power of data-driven solutions. As CRA approaches its 25th anniversary, supported by a team of over 150 employees, it stands on a legacy of empathy, an unyielding commitment to enhancing health equity and overcoming cost constraints.

Ramos de Alba, a veteran health sector consultant, has always taken a patient-first view of the industry in support of the services provided by clients.

“Everything I have done as part of my more than 35 years providing assessment to health industry components is geared to solve challenges that govern healthcare delivery, while at the same time promote the full health of the patient,” says Ramos de Alba.

Improving Health Literacy and Adherence

CRA’s consulting services are comprehensive, encompassing strategic planning, quality control, administrative streamlining, and compliance solutions for hospitals, medical groups, and federally qualified health centers.

It is distinguished by the way it addresses the broader context in which healthcare is delivered. Ramos de Alba was among the early voices highlighting the role of social determinants in health outcomes, long before the idea gained traction in public policy discussions.

In 2015, this foresight led to the creation of the CRA Call Center, a pioneering initiative designed to help patients overcome barriers to attending medical appointments or adhering to prescriptions. The service educates, engages and provides a human touch modern healthcare systems should have.

By anticipating the needs of patients—especially those from vulnerable populations—the call center became a cornerstone of CRA’s approach to improving health literacy and adherence. During 2024, it reached a record high of over one million calls, demonstrating human touch is highly effective to serve the needs of patients over 65 years of age, who are at the time 28% of Puerto Rico’s population, while integrating technology to better serve younger generations.

CRA does not stop at outreach. The firm has established itself as a crucial partner for healthcare entities to overcome operational inefficiencies. Its targeted consulting services enable providers to better navigate relationships with insurers, manage internal processes, and remain in compliance with increasingly complex regulatory frameworks. This empowers healthcare professionals to focus on what they do best.

CRA Analytics 2.0

One of CRA’s major contributions to the industry has been their proprietary analytics platform. It is the recipient of the 2023 Innovation and Technology in Health Award from the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, and provides utilization and population health statistics that equip medical practices with critical insights.

Recently, it launched its latest edition, CRA Analytics 2.0 which incorporates predictive AI modeling and expanded reporting tools. These upgrades enable providers to proactively identify potential complications, target at- risk populations and adopt preventive care strategies for improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term costs.

The capacity to innovate under constrained conditions is CRA’s most defining trait.

“Puerto Rico’s healthcare system has long suffered from underfunding in Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs. The federal funds allocated to the island are disproportionately low, especially when compared to the poorest U. S. Jurisdiction,” says Ramos de Alba.

Despite this context, healthcare providers on the island, many of whom partner with CRA, have achieved national recognition, including 5-star ratings.

Commitment to Serve the Community

CRA reflects a culture built on resourcefulness, collaboration and a sense of purpose. That focus has turned limited resources into maximum impact, implementing proprietary events while also collaborating with non-profit institutions.

Ramos de Alba is deeply aware that transforming a healthcare system demands empathy and a long-term commitment to communities. Since founding CRA, she has been serving vulnerable groups with the belief that patient care cannot be effective without considering the social determinants that impact health.

This has inspired multiple initiatives that go far beyond CRA’s standard scope, like providing food to families in need during emergencies, and deploying health clinics to remote communities. These efforts are aimed at dismantling the barriers that prevent many Puerto Ricans from accessing consistent, high-quality care. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the concept of whole health; emotional, mental and physical wellness as interdependent elements that must be addressed collectively.

Allowing Doctors to Retire with Confidence and Security

CRA’s story is one of transformation through professionalism. From the earliest days, Ramos de Alba cultivated a work ethic within her team that demanded competence and excellence.

The mutual respect between CRA and its clients forms the basis of a rare dynamic in the consulting world, where the consultant becomes an integral part of the client’s team, sharing responsibility for outcomes and celebrating shared successes.

This dynamic has enabled CRA to expand its advisory role into areas such as succession planning and retirement strategies for physicians nearing the end of their practice. This is a critical service in Puerto Rico, where many providers are approaching retirement age. The company supports them in transitioning their practices in a way that preserves care continuity while allowing doctors to retire with confidence and security.

Driven by a Philosophy of Resilience and Hope

Looking to the future, CRA continues to lean into innovation. It plans to integrate AI modules into its Call Center’s CRM platform, using intelligent automation to further enhance patient access. These upgrades will enable the company to deepen its role in the healthcare ecosystem, driving even greater efficiencies while maintaining its hallmark personal touch.

CRA’s forward momentum is driven by a philosophy of resilience and hope, guided by Ramos de Alba, who was honored as CPA of the Year for her instrumental role in launching Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico more than 22 years ago.

She believes that every day offers a fresh opportunity for growth and progress, and that it’s essential to give the best in individual roles, no matter how challenging or routine they may seem. This daily dedication allows one to approach the future with confidence, knowing that they’ve done all they can to make a positive impact.

Remembering the People behind the Data

CRA Financial & Consulting Group has transformed how healthcare consulting is done. It has created a model where providers’ strategy meets compassion, and where analytics serve people. As it nears a milestone anniversary, it is more committed than ever to its founding principles. In a healthcare environment often reduced to charts and codes, CRA stands out for one reason—it remembers the people behind the data.

And as long as there are patients in need of better care, providers in search of stronger support systems, and communities demanding equity, CRA will be there, offering solutions built on purpose.