Sana Benefits: Delivering Better Healthcare with Atlassian Cloud

Posted on 02.13.2025
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Written by Melissa Case
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The Challenge: Migrating to the Cloud with Compliance in Mind

Sana Benefits needed to move its Jira Software, Confluence, and Jira Service Management (JSM) environments to the Atlassian Cloud while maintaining HIPAA compliance. The transition required:

  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring sensitive health data remained protected throughout the migration.
  • Complex Data Environment: Migrating a highly customized Jira and Confluence setup with plugins and workflows.
  • Change Management: Training employees and preparing them for the new cloud-based experience.
  • Minimal Disruption: Executing a seamless migration without impacting daily operations.

The Solution: A Strategic, Secure, and Seamless Migration

Oxalis led an 8-week structured migration approach that ensured compliance, minimized risk, and maximized efficiency. The key phases included:

1. Current State Mapping & Gap Analysis

  • Conducted a comprehensive assessment of workflows, plugins, and data usage.
  • Identified non-migratable data and developed remediation strategies.

2. Migration Strategy Development

  • Created a clear roadmap for data transfer, testing, and user validation.
  • Designed a communication plan to keep all stakeholders informed.

3. HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Implementation

  • Assisted with the Business Associate Agreement (BAA) process.
  • Procured Atlassian Cloud licenses and configured Atlassian Guard for enhanced security.
  • Implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) and user provisioning via G Suite.

4. Technical Testing & Dry Runs

  • Conducted rigorous technical testing and two dry runs to validate processes.
  • Allowed users to test data in a sandbox environment before final migration.
  • Provided comprehensive Atlassian Cloud training to ensure a smooth transition.

5. Production Migration

  • Executed the migration during off-hours to minimize operational impact.
  • Ensured data integrity and system readiness.

6. Post-Migration Support & Adoption

  • Delivered post-migration support to address user concerns and optimize workflows.

The Results: A Faster, More Secure, and Cost-Effective Future

By partnering with Oxalis, Sana Benefits successfully migrated to Atlassian Cloud on time and within budget. The transformation delivered:

  • Cost Optimization – Reduced infrastructure and licensing costs with Atlassian Cloud.
  • Enhanced Security & Compliance – Maintained HIPAA compliance while leveraging Atlassian’s latest security features.
  • Improved User Experience – Employees gained access to cutting-edge Atlassian features, enhancing productivity.
  • Operational Efficiency – Eliminated server maintenance and streamlined IT operations.
  • Successful Change Management – Employees adapted quickly thanks to structured training and communication.


“The engineering teams saw improvements in cycle times with a median cycle time of 24 hours for bugs and under 5 days for stories.”
— James Cadena, Director of Information Security, Sana Benefits

Unified Atlassian services


Making Healthcare Easy with Atlassian Cloud

Founded in 2017, Sana Benefits is dedicated to making healthcare easy and accessible for small and medium-sized businesses.

With over 30,000 members and more than $320 million saved in medical billing, Sana offers affordable health plans that empower businesses to provide better care. As the company scaled, it relied on Atlassian’s Data Center products to maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations while fostering collaboration across its teams.

When Atlassian Cloud achieved HIPAA compliance, Sana recognized an opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and gain access to the latest features by transitioning from Data Center to Cloud.

To ensure a seamless migration, they partnered with Oxalis Solutions, an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner specializing in cloud transformations for highly regulated industries.

  • Industry: Healthcare & Insurance
  • Location: Austin, TX
  • Company Size: 160+ Employees

THE CHALLENGE

  • HIPAA-compliant migration from Atlassian Data Center to Atlassian Cloud

THE TOOLS

  • Jira Software
  • Confluence
  • Jira Service Management (JSM)
  • Atlassian Guard

THE SOLUTION

  • Atlassian Cloud Migration
  • Change Management
  • Knowledge Management
  • Training

Moving Forward with Atlassian Cloud

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