Accelerating value-based care: Why health plans now hold the keys

Amid an uncertain economy, providers, payers, and patients alike will be turning their attention to value-based care models to cut costs and improve health outcomes.

These models, where reimbursement is rewarded based on quality of care, have taken center stage once again in the healthcare discussion.

During the pandemic, the industry saw a rapid move towards these pay-for-performance payment models, with one large health player quickly implementing a value-based care model in just 18 months, according to a recent analysis by McKinsey & Company. This analysis also notes that even as digital health investment has declined since 2021, private equity firms continue to place bets on innovative healthcare business models that deliver positive results, showing promise for the acceleration of value-based care adoption.

While COVID-19 pushed value-based care back onto the stage, health plans must now shine the spotlight on this healthcare delivery model moving forward. Why?

Health plans hold the keys to the back-end technology powering these value-based models, to the patient information that will empower more equitable care, and to the systems that will allow for seamless data exchange across the healthcare continuum.