As Congress and the Trump Administration continue to debate how to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act, the future of its programs and initiatives are in question. This is especially true now after the Administration announced it may take a year to implement a new plan. Many are in a state of anxiety as a consequence. One important healthcare trend that will remain constant, however, is the transition towards value-based care and alternative payment models for state Medicaid programs. Value-based healthcare models drive providers toward achieving the triple aim of improved patient outcomes, better care experience, and reduced costs. This is extremely important as states work to fix the fragmented and expensive US healthcare system.
One challenge state Medicaid programs face is establishing a value-based health model given their state’s unique circumstances. There is no one size fits all solution. Each state has a unique political environment, different available resources, and in various stages in implementing their delivery system reform efforts. In spite of these obstacles, progress is being made towards value-based care. Innovative programs are springing up all over the country which seek to support and enable this transition to value-based healthcare. One such program is the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP).
IAP is a collaboration between the Center for Medicaid and Chip Services and the Center for Medicare-Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The goal is to provide technical support and guidance as states develop new Medicaid payment models and/or expand existing state Medicaid payment reform efforts. IAP provides targeted support across four important Medicaid initiatives: reducing substance use disorders, improving care for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex care needs and high cost, promoting community integration through long-term services and supports, and supporting physical and mental health integration. IAP also provides states with support in four functional areas that IAP sees as the building blocks to delivery system reform: data analytics, quality measurement, performance improvement, and value-based payment and financial simulations.
In order for states to implement these building blocks of delivery system reform, they must power their efforts with integrated technology. Navigating multiple, disparate systems that don’t talk to each other makes it hard to provide whole-person care for individuals. States and providers need a technology platform that can house information from these disparate data systems and facilitate collaboration across the care continuum.
In spite of the uncertainty regarding the new administration’s healthcare agenda, we are confident initiatives such as IAP will continue to help move the US healthcare care system towards value-based care. Eccovia Solutions is proud to provide a leading technology platform that supports value-based care initiatives.
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