April 2016 News Update
This month's news update features a timeline outlining V-BID's history, a new video introducing a novel benefit design, and publications that support V-BID programs.
Health Affairs: Value-based insurance plan boosts employee use of targeted preventive services, reduces ER visits
On Monday, April 4, Health Affairs reported that one state's Value-Based Insurance Design employee insurance program, which was designed to improve health while reducing costs, has successfully encouraged more use of screenings and preventive services, increased medication adherence for chronic conditions, and reduced visits to the emergency department.Researchers from the V-BID Center say, not unexpectedly, that it's too early to tell after two years of study if Connecticut's Health Enhancement Program has saved the state money.Their findings are reported in the April edition of Health Affairs. The Health Affairs article and related materials can be found below. Health Affairs Article IHPI Press Release HEP Infographic
NEWS UPDATE: CMS Proposed Rule for Part B Drugs includes V-BID Principles
On Tuesday, March 8th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule that would test a new way for Medicare Part B to pay for prescription drugs. The proposal includes value-based insurance design (V-BID) principles of discounting or eliminating cost-sharing and varying payments for drugs based on clinical effectiveness for different indicators (clinical nuance). CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt stated, "These proposals would allow us to test different ways to help Medicare beneficiaries get the right medications and right care while supporting physicians in the process. This is consistent with our focus on testing value-based care models like we have been doing with physicians and hospitals in ACOs. Models like this one can help doctors and other clinicians do what they do best: choose the medicine and treatment that keeps their patients healthy." Read more on V-BID in the Medicare program.
AJMC: Geisinger V-BID Program
Dr. Mark Fendrick discusses how the Geisinger V-BID Program leads to savings by eliminating drug co-payments A study published in the February 2016 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care investigated the potential cost-savings of a $0 prescription co-pay program for chronically ill employees of the Geisinger Health System (GHS). Approximately 200 anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and anti-lipid medications were provided at zero cost-sharing to 2251 GHS employees as part of an employee health and wellness program. The program showed positive cost-savings and a positive 5-year return on investment.
Tuesday, February 23: US Senate Committee on Armed Services
On Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016, Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, V-BID Center Director, testified before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. Dr. Fendrick discussed how the principles of value-based insurance design (V-BID) and clinical nuance can contribute positively to defense health care reform.The hearing announcement and testimony materials are available below:
2018 Sponsorship Opportunities
2018 V-BID Summit Sponsorship Opportunities The 2018 V-BID Summit will be held as a two-day event at the University of Michigan on March 13/14. The Summit invites stakeholders to engage in a highly interactive all-day discussion to address the opportunities and challenges that arise from the conceptual design to the implementation of clinically nuanced payment reform and benefit design strategies across some of today’s most relevant and challenging health care topics. A draft agenda will soon be available for dissemination. All donations/sponsorships will be gratefully accepted, including amounts lower and higher than those listed below. Special consideration will be given to non-profit organizations. For more information, please contact Susan Lynne Oesterle at 734-615-9635 or sloester@umich.edu. Platinum sponsorship includes six invitations to the following: V-BID Summit evening reception Evening welcome dinner Networking breakfast Summit discussions Networking lunch Platinum sponsorship recognition includes: Full [...]
February 9, 2016: MI Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on HHS Hearing
On Tuesday, February 9th, Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, V-BID Center Director, testified before the Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services in Lansing, Michigan. Dr. Fendrick discussed opportunities to improve the health of Michigan residents through the utilization of value-based services and performance metrics, as well as how clinically nuanced cost-sharing has been an effective way to improve value and creates an opportunity for broad innovation in the Medicaid space. Value-based insurance design (V-BID) principles are included in the Healthy Michigan Plan for Medicaid expansion, as outlined in the V-BID Center's Michigan Medicaid brief. The Hearing announcement can be accessed here. More Hearing materials are available below: Presentation Slides AJMC Clinical Nuance Infographic
V-BID 10th Anniversary Summit: A Decade of Transforming the Health Care Cost Discussion from ‘How Much’ to ‘How Well’
On October 6/7, 2015, the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design held its 10th Anniversary V-BID Summit entitled: A Decade of Transforming the Health Care Cost Discussion from ‘How Much’ to ‘How Well.’
2015 Year in Review
This interactive timeline highlights the numerous V-BID achievements in 2015. From the passing of legislation, to the announcement of a V-BID demonstration in Medicare Advantage, to a 10th Anniversary V-BID Summit, 2015 was a standout year for V-BID.
V-BID Congressional Briefings, July 21st, 2015: Medicare Advantage & HDHP
"Improving Consumers' Access to High-Value Health Care: Value-Based Insurance Design and alignment with delivery system reform" Senate Briefing Details SD-G11 Dirksen Senate Office Building Tuesday, July 21st 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM (Continental breakfast available at 9:45) RSVP to: Arielle Zina at azina@smarterhc.org Senate Briefing Invitation House Briefing Details 1539 Longworth House Office Building Tuesday, July 21st 2:30 PM- 3:30 PM (Light lunch and appetizers available at 2:15) RSVP to: Arielle Zina at azina@smarterhc.org House Briefing Invitation V-BID Materials MA Materials HDHP Materials
December 9, 2015: CMS/CMMI Diabetes Prevention Program Payer-Provider Summit
On Wednesday, December 9th, Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, V-BID Center Director, spoke at the Diabetes Prevention Program Payer-Provider Summit, hosted by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The summit brought together payers, providers, CMMI awardees, and state and federal leaders to collectively identify promising value-based payment models for the Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Fendrick opened the "Payer Perspective" panel with a brief presentation on the role of Value-Based Insurance Design in the DPP and will participate in other discussions. Dr. Fendrick's slides are available below. Presentation Slides
V-BID Whiteboard Video: Goldilocks Chooses A Health Plan
Choosing a Health Plan? Check out our new Whiteboard Video! The University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) is pleased to introduce our very first student-created whiteboard video, Goldilocks Chooses a Health Plan. Much like finding the right bed, choosing a health plan can be challenging. Watch as Goldilocks traverses through the complicated health insurance market of 'too soft' and 'too hard' health plans, and then discovers the Value-Based Insurance Design Plan, which is 'just right.' With this 'just right' health plan, Goldilocks has financial incentives to utilize high-value services and skip services of unproven value. This plan also lowers cost-related non-adherence, improved health outcomes, and avoids the Cadillac Tax. For more information on choosing a 'just right' health plan, please contact the V-BID Center at vbidcenter@umich.edu.
CMS Announces Medicare Advantage V-BID Model Test
News Update: CMS Announces Medicare Advantage V-BID Model Test On September 1, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a program to test Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The program will examine the utility of structuring patient cost-sharing and other health plan design elements to encourage patients to consume high-value clinical services, thereby improving quality and reducing costs. The model test is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2017. CMS will conduct the model test in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. "The Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model fills an immediate need for testing ways to improve care and reduce cost in Medicare Advantage Plans and offers the prospect of lower out-of-pocket costs and premiums along with better benefits for enrollees in Medicare Advantage," said Patrick Conway, MD, MSc, CMS deputy administrator and chief medical officer. For additional information about the CMMI [...]
V-BID Summits
V-BID Summit 2014 V-BID Summit 2013 V-BID Summit 2012 V-BID Summit 2011 V-BID Summit 2007 V-BID Summit 2005