By ALEX AZAR
Presidential transitions are always a time of great change, but few leaders have ushered in a shift as sweeping as the rewiring of one-seventh of the U.S. economy. President Trump has the opportunity to do just that by doubling down on the health transformation achievements of his first term.
A key to success is continuing the shift from a fee-for-service (FFS) healthcare model to value-based care (VBC). The current FFS model continues to deliver higher costs and greater utilization of healthcare resources—but not better outcomes for patients. By contrast, a VBC model ties provider payments to quality patient care that incorporates prevention and coordination.
As a country, we’ve been dabbling with value-based models for decades. Now, the time has come to rip off the proverbial Band-Aid and embrace system-wide changes.
We actually have more evidence than most people realize in favor of alternative care delivery and payment models.
Significant positive changes have already occurred in the primary care space through programs like the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
