Washington, D.C.-- Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced H.R. 5183 - The V-BID for Better Care Act of 2014 to establish a regional demonstration program for Medicare Advantage plans that allows the utilization of Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) to reduce beneficiary cost-sharing for selected high-value prescription medications, providers, and clinical services related to chronic disease care.  A summary of the bill and official release are available.

Specifically, the bipartisan bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a three-year demonstration program allowing participating Medicare Advantage plans to test V-BID principles of reduced copayments and coinsurance for high-performing providers, evidence-based medications, or clinical services related to specific chronic disease care, while explicitly prohibiting plans from increasing copayments or coinsurance to discourage use of services.

Evidence is accumulating that V-BID programs improve quality, reduce disparities, and in some circumstances, lower health care costs.  The clinical and economic impact of the demonstration project will be evaluated. Expansion of the project depends on whether implementing V-BID plans

that provide clinically nuanced incentives for beneficiaries with chronic conditions can improve patient-centered outcomes and control health care cost growth.    

The University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design leads in research, development, and advocacy for innovative health benefit plans.