New Health Plan Payment Models Are Improving Patient Quality ...( Private-Sector Solutions Essential fo...),Health

Private-Sector Solutions Essential for Sustainable Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Private-sector strategies to improve health care quality and value are an essential component of comprehensive health care reform, according to America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). AHIP hosted a press conference today to highlight the innovative payment models health plans have implemented to reward quality and spur improvement.

"There is widespread agreement that delivery system reforms are needed to improve patient care and make health care more affordable," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP. "Health plans are pioneering the types of innovative approaches necessary to move to a 21st century, evidence-based health care system."

AHIP released a new publication, Innovations in Recognizing and Rewarding Quality, showing measurable results from health plan payment models that are reducing costs, enhancing quality, and improving patient satisfaction. The report highlights some of the most innovative approaches that plans have taken to recognize and reward physicians and hospitals for achieving national benchmarks, demonstrating outstanding performance, and making measureable improvements over time.

"As our nation struggles with rising health care costs, health plans are piloting new payment models that are making the system more affordable and improving value and quality," said Lewis Sandy, MD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Advancement at UnitedHealth Group.

A 2006 New England Journal of Medicine article reported that at least half of the nation's health plans, representing 80 percent of enrollees in such plans, included some pay-for-performance incentives in their provider contracts. Physicians and hospitals are evaluated on a variety of measures, including clinical quality, patient satisfaction, utilization
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