This update features policy developments, media reports, and events supporting continued momentum for multiple V-BID Center initiatives.

 

Policy News:

 

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces Additional Preventive Care Benefits to be Provided by High-Deductible Health Plan

On July 17, 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released Notice 2019-45, allowing HSA-HDHP plans the flexibility to cover specified medications and services for chronic diseases prior to meeting the plan deductible. This recent guidance follows President Trump’s signing of E.O. 13877 and the introduction of bipartisan legislation (S.1948 and H.R. 3709). Our new research white paper and one-pager show that amending IRS code will provide millions of Americans with a plan option that better meets their clinical and financial needs, and will likely reduce federal expenditures.

Introducing V-BID X, A Value-Based Insurance Plan for the Exchanges 

A recent Health Affairs blog introduces “V-BID X,” a novel benefit design to expand options in the individual market by enhancing coverage of essential medical services and drugs, without increasing premiums or deductibles. A V-BID X white paper, infographic, and video can be found on our website. To learn more about V-BID X, we invite you to attend a free webinar on July 24, 2019 from 1-2 pm EST.

 

ACA Section 2713 in Action : PrEP and HPV  

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a new “A” recommendation that will eliminate cost-sharing for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and help prevent the transmission of HIV, and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices updated the HPV recommendations to include boys/men through the age of 26.

 

In the News:

Market Watch: Fifty-Six Percent of Americans Suffer from Financial Hardship due to Medical Concerns 
The financial difficulties faced by many Americans in the health care system may result in delayed or skipped medical care. In some cases, this may be amplified by the growing popularity of HDHPs. Read more about V-BID’s solution.

HCCI: Lower Health Care Spending and Use for People with Chronic Conditions in CDHPs
Patients with chronic diseases enrolled in CDHP plans experience lower spending, overall, than their non-CDHP counterparts. Learn more about HSA-HDHPs here.

Managed Healthcare: Why High-Value Care Adoption is Stagnant 

A Managed Healthcare article reports that LVC discussions have not yet translated into significant actions, and mentions the top five low-value care services. Learn about low-value care.

 

TransUnion: Out-of-Pocket Costs Rising Even as Patients Transition to Lower Cost Settings
A recent analysis found that out-of-pocket costs for Americans are increasing. For more on clinical nuance and increasing cost efficiency, read more here.
 
 

PERS Select: Value-Based Insurance Design 
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) basic plan adopted V-BID principles in 2019.

 

National Health Council: NHC Updates Its Policy Recommendations for Lowering Health Care Costs
In April 2019, the National Health Council updated its policy recommendations for decreasing costs associated with health care, notably the implementation of Value-Based Insurance Design principles into Medicare program. Learn about V-BID’s role in Medicare.

Crain’s: Trump Signs Executive Order to Promote Insurance Principles Championed by UM Doctor
In this article, Dr. Mark Fendrick discusses the V-BID Center’s role in the recent executive order and Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, and mentions how these policy actions relate to V-BID principles.
 

In the Literature: 

AJMC: Precision Medicine Needs Precision Patient Assistance Programs
An AJMC article by Fendrick and Buxbaum states that rising consumer cost sharing for health sharing may be a burden for many Americans. This may be addressed by implementing Precision Patient Assistance Programs.

 

JMCP: The Evidence Behind Value-Based Insurance Design
Articles by Dr. Joel Farley and Dr. Kai Yeung in JMCP discuss the promising results and limitations of early V-BID implementation and note that health plans should incentivize high-value care, specific to each patient and their health needs. Read about Precision Benefit Design.

 

Axios: The Silent Affordability Crisis Facing Sick People 
A column in Axios indicated that health care costs were harming American families, especially those with chronic conditions and high deductibles. V-BID addresses this issue with our HDHP+ Design.

 

Congressional Budget Office: Key Design Components and Considerations for Establishing a Single-Payer Health Care System 
In this report by the Congressional Budget Office, V-BID is highlighted as a key component in establishing a single-payer system.

 

AJMC: V-BID in the Primary Care Setting
In this AJMC article and editorial, V-BID is discussed in additional clinical applications, and Dr. Cliff and Dr. Fendrick discuss the idea of a “screen door” design to selectively allow high-value care, while filtering out low-value care.

 

Research Consortium: A Framework for Addressing Low-Value Care

A framework was established to define low-value care and to discuss how to minimize the use of these unnecessary services. Learn more about our low-value care initiative here.

 

 

The Commonwealth Fund: How Much U.S. Households with Employer Insurance Spend on Premiums and Out-of Pocket Costs
A Commonwealth Fund report highlights the increasing premium and out-of-pocket contributions faced by employers. For more information regarding out-of-pocket costs, read about the Drug Cost Iceberg.

 

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