"We believe we can do better. Our group of diverse health care stakeholders came together over the past year to develop a road map to transform the health care system by improving efficiency, clinical effectiveness, and value for patients."
A diverse group of health care stakeholders present their recommendations for controlling costs and improving the quality of our health care system.
"The results of the first annual Scorecard are in and 10.9% of all commercial in-network payments are value-oriented either tied to performance or designed to cut waste."
As health care costs continue to rise, consumers are increasingly being required to take on a growing share. To underscore that point, the most recent survey by Mercer shows that close to two-thirds of all large employers offer a high deductible/high co-insurance health plan and that close to 20 percent of all commercially insured health plan members are enrolled in such plans. In this environment, it is only fair and logical to ensure that consumers have the necessary quality and price information to make informed decisions about where to seek health care.
There has been significant discussion among policymakers and healthcare stakeholders about value-based purchasing and the advent of accountable care organizations (ACOs). Health systems and health plans are moving rapidly to establish ACOs, shifting the focus of care delivery from volume to outcomes. Consequently, population health management—that is, working to improve the health not just of one patient but of a health system’s entire populatio —has emerged as a critical tool for those moving toward value-based care delivery models.
NBCH is pleased to announce a new series of action briefs developed to support the critical role purchasers and purchaser-led coalitions play as change agents in improving health and health care in employee populations and the community at large. Each action brief will center on a specific topic of interest highlighting why employers should care; using eValue8 data to better explain the role of health plans around the issue; and providing action steps and strategies employers can take to improve health and health care delivery.
For employers and other health care purchasers, such as unions, engaging employees to better manage their health and spend health care dollars wisely are crucial efforts, but can seem daunting. Here are some resources to get you started:
The “Own Your Health” campaign is a great example of a program for engaging employees in their health and health care. “Own Your Health” was created by the Puget Sound Health Alliance for King County and Sound Health & Wellness Trust, and features videos and helpful tips and tools for employees to use in taking control of their health. The Alliance is an Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) Community. AF4Q is the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s signature effort to improve the overall quality of health care in the United States.
The Communication Toolkit, developed by the American Institutes for Research, provides customizable handouts with actionable and easy-to-understand tips and tools that employers can use to help employees understand what it means to receive quality health care and how they can make sure they get the right care. In addition, Getting Smarter is a customizable presentation with an accompanying FAQ handout about why your organization is taking steps to improve health and health care for all employees.
The PCPCC has developed the following framework to help fellow medical home supporters and advocates explain the benefits and strategies associated with delivering patient-centered primary care. The graphic is organized according to the five key features of the medical home model: Patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, and committed to quality and safety.
The infographic includes definitions for each of these features, sample strategies used by health professionals, employers, and payers, and their collective impact on the health system.
