While the federal government has moved forward implementation of value-based payment initiatives such as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, many states are making their own initiative efforts, according to a study commissioned by Change Healthcare.
For the study, researchers examined various publicly available information between May and August. Their sources included state resources, federal government resources, value-based payment contractors, healthcare industry analyst research and media reports, among others.
Here are nine takeaways from the study.
1. More than 40 states have initiated their own plan or strategy to implement value-based payment initiatives, according to the study. Nearly 50 percent of these initiatives involve multiple payers.
2. Vermont, Oregon, Minnesota, Maryland, Colorado and Arkansas have all implemented value-based payment strategies for at least four years. Researchers said many of these strategies have been implemented with support from the federal government.
3. More than 20 states have implemented value-based payment strategies for two years or longer.
4. Additionally, the study found 10 states are in the early stages of developing value-based payment strategies, and 23 states have established value-based payment goals or mandates agreed upon by payers and providers.
5. Nearly 20 states have adopted or are considering adopting accountable care organizations or ACO-like entities, and 12 states have adopted or are considering adopting episodes of care programs, according to the study.
6. Researchers said value-based payment reform is used by many states in efforts with stakeholders to redesign their the healthcare system at the state level.
7. Only seven states have done little or nothing as far as value-based payment initiatives, the study found.
8. The study specifically cited Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, Washington and Minnesota as states that have particularly notable value-based payment initiatives.