Policy & Regulation News

HHS Launches Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network

By Jacqueline DiChiara

- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell met with President Obama to launch the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network. An estimated 2800 payers, providers, employers, patients, states, consumer groups, and consumers have registered.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) promotes new quality incentives. The new model’s effects on Medicare are widespread, says today’s announcement from HHS.

“When government and business work together we can all benefit,” says Burwell. “Patients can get the right care at the right time, doctors can achieve the best ideals of their profession, and health care can be more affordable for individuals and companies.”

Burwell announced a goal earlier in 2015 to tie thirty percent of payments to quality and value through alternative payment models by 2016 and fifty percent by 2018 under ACA’s new approaches.

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  • The Network will expedite this transformation by aligning their work with the adoption of alternative payment models.

    Since 2010 implementation of ACA, there have been 150,000 fewer preventable hospital readmissions and 50,000 fewer patient deaths in hospitals due to avoidable harms.

    ACA’s financial incentives for hospitals and other providers aim to mainstream quality, affordable care.

    HHS says promising results regarding the new healthcare delivery system include:

    • The 400 Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) participating in the Shared Savings Program and the Pioneer ACO Model generated $417 million in Medicare savings
    • $12 billion in healthcare cost savings
    • 50,000 saved lives between 2010 and 2013
    • Medicare hospital readmissions decreased by eight percent
    • Improved birth outcomes and fewer at-risk newborns
    • Doctors’ offices and providers participating in ACO programs and other Innovation Center initiatives offer expanded office hours and 24 hour call lines

    Various organizations have set goals for rewarding value, which include agreeing to HHS’ goals, educating associates about alternative network options, and actively incorporating a patient-centered approach to care.