CENTER UPDATE | LATE FeBRUARY 2021

This update features recent literature items, media reports, and events
supporting continued momentum for multiple V-BID Center initiatives throughout February.

Working Paper: The Health Costs of Cost-Sharing

A recent working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research provides evidence that small increases in out-of-pocket costs cause Medicare patients to reduce prescription fills for high-value drugs like statins and antihypertensives, ultimately leading to higher rates of mortality. Cost-sharing should be determined based on a drug’s impact on patient welfare, rather than the drug’s overall price or demand.

Trends in Low-Value Health Service Use and Spending in the U.S. Medicare Fee-for-Service Program, 2014-2018

A cross-sectional study found that among individuals with fee-for-service Medicare, low-value care use and spending decreased marginally from 2014 to 2018, despite a national provider education campaign and increased attention on low-value care. Most use of low-value care came from three services, one of which was opioid prescriptions. These findings indicate there are many opportunities to continue to reduce low-value care utilization.

Annual Out-Of-Pocket Spending Clusters Within Short Time Intervals: Implications for Health Care Affordability

Findings from a review of commercial insurance claims data indicate that one-third of people with above-median total annual health spending incurred half of their annual out-of-pocket costs in just one day. As policymakers work to improve the affordability of care, innovations must be made to prevent dramatic financial shocks to household budgets due to medical bills.

Upcoming Virtual V-BID Summit 2021: 20 Years of Impact & Innovation

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first V-BID publication, the V-BID center has assembled a roster of leaders from across the health care spectrum for a webinar on Wednesday, March 10th, from 12 noon to 4 pm ET. The virtual format allows for additional attendees over an in-person meeting, but space is still limited, and registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Click here to register for the event!

Recent Webinar: V-BID Opportunities for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Management

On Tuesday, February 16th, V-BID Center Director Mark Fendrick spoke at a webinar, hosted by Million Hearts, about value-based insurance design and how it may be used to increase the use of high impact and evidence-based cardiovascular disease preventive and management services. View additional resources related to the event here.

Recent Webinar: Successfully Navigating the Value-Based Insurance Design Model

In a recent webinar hosted by America’s Health Insurance Plans, V-BID Center Director Mark Fendrick discussed key goals and guidelines for value-based insurance design, the Medicare Advantage V-BID Model’s growth, and how plans can use V-BID to better support their members. Learn more about the event and view a recording by visiting this webinar summary page.

Emergency Preparedness Lessons for Employers from COVID-19

An emergency preparedness guide released by the Northeast Business Group on Health recommends that employers invest in V-BID principles to strengthen their COVID-19 response and prepare for a future pandemic situation. The incorporation of value-based principles in plan designs, as demonstrated with the V-BID X health plan, can encourage employees to seek appropriate care and address emergent needs in a public health emergency.

2021 Medication Access Report: Barriers to Care and Supporting Patients

The CoverMyMeds 2021 Medication Access Report demonstrates that more than one in three patients said they went without treatment or medications to pay for bills and basic needs. Aligning out-of-pocket costs with the value of health services can potentially enhance patient-centered outcomes while reducing the harm associated with high cost-sharing.

Ambiguous Genetic Test Results Can Be Unsettling, Lead to Needless Surgeries

Doctors are increasingly testing people’s genes for signs of hereditary risks for cancer. However, these tests can unsettle patients if an inconclusive result is obtained, and may lead doctors to inappropriately recommend surgery. In 2019, the USPSTF released clinically-nuanced recommendations for genetic counseling and testing for BRCA gene mutations, which discourage the use of these services for women without a family history of BRCA-related cancers.

Please Help Support the V-BID Center

As a non-profit entity, the V-BID Center relies on fundraising to support our research, education, and policy efforts. Please help us continue our work by donating here. We truly appreciate your consideration.

V-BID Center Update: Cost-Sharing Deters Appropriate Care, Increases Mortality; 2021 V-BID Center Virtual Summit