On Tuesday, February 26, V-BID Center A. Mark Fendricktestified before the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health to advance V-BID concepts in Medicare Advantage programs. Video and summary are available; testimony begins at 31:55. Read news coverage of the hearing.
In response to the notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) CMS-2334-P issued on January 22, 2013, the V-BID Center offered comments on the proposed Medicaid cost-sharing recommendations.
Doing less for better health
As part of the Choosing Wisely initiative, doctors identify more than 130 tests and treatments done too often that result in low clinical value. The V-BID notion of clinical nuance--that different services have different levels of value--continues to grow.
V-BID and state innovation models
Arkansas, Maine and Oregon are three of six delivery transformation grantees that reference or include V-BID principles. These awards were granted through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid State Innovation Model Initiative, and second-round funding will be available.
Few Americans switch benefit plans voluntarily
Aresearch brieffrom National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR) shows that job changes or changes in employers' plan offerings drives consumer benefit plan changes. National reform initiatives to expand coverage, including V-BID plan options, may allow for greater consumer autonomy.
To reduce costs, consumers and providers must be aligned
February's Health Affairs includes a study of more than 20 focus groups that examined
patients' willingness to discuss health care costs with clinicians. Even when deciding among nearly comparable clinical options, patients did not want cost to factor into medical decision-making.
Eliminating co-pays for better outcomes
A study from Population Health Management shows that the V-BID concept of eliminating co-payments for chronic disease management--such as diabetes-related medications and supplies--improves patients' medication adherence and care management. The full article is available.
Insurers canraise smokers' premiums by 50 percent in 2014. While this increase may tempt smokers to quit, both "carrot" and "stick" interventions should be used to encourage smoking cessation.
February's brief posits that V-BID programs that combine reductions in cost-sharing for high-value services and increases in cost-sharing for low-value services can improve quality and reduce costs.
The University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) leads in research, development and advocacy for innovative health benefit designs.