Health Equity Should Be Key to Value-Based Payment And Delivery Reform

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing health inequities in the United States. Black and Latinx Americans have experienced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations due to economic disadvantages, structural racism, and higher rates of underlying chronic conditions.

Value-based payment (VBP) structures have the potential to reduce health disparities, and during the pandemic, health care organizations with VBP models have had greater flexibility to effectively pivot their care delivery. However, too few organizations are actively prioritizing equity in their VBP models. In this post, the authors outline three strategies for payers and providers to embrace health equity in VBP design and implementation. Read more here.

(Source: Sahil Sandhu et al.; Health Affairs Blog; 11/24/20)