Posted on 25. Jul, 2009 by cyndynayer in Cyndy's Spot on Health Value
These are exciting times in the world of value-based health. As of this writing, value-based design wording has been included in the health policy bill from the U.S. House, and expansion of prevention and wellness incentives has made it into the Senate version. As we continue to follow these developments, we also are expanding our scope of influence.
For instance, I was recently asked to comment on a new RAND meta-analysis of medication adherence, and in discussions with scientists studying health care design, I was able to make the point that the business community has a great deal of knowledge to contribute. We may not do double-blind studies, but our business-based evidence, replicable and scalable, can make a difference far beyond the 40 million covered lives the Center represents. I’m pleased to report that our input was welcomed and look forward to future collaboration with the research community.
I’m also proud to announce our alliance with ACOEM (American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine) and the Integrated Benefits Institute to launch a training program in value-based design aimed at healthcare brokers and consultants. This is a timely effort as many organizations are starting to ask their providers about value-based initiatives.
And I’m looking forward to the debut of the Center’s first book this fall! We hope it will be a valuable resource for organizations and individuals interested in learning from real-world examples of how value-based healthcare design works and how to make it happen. Watch this space!
Cyndy Nayer,
President
Center for Health Value Innovation
Posted on 25. Jul, 2009 by admin in Library, News
Alabama Construction News did a three-page profile of the value-based approach to healthcare design, interviewing CHVI President Cyndy Nayer and chairman Mike Taylor. They talked about incentive-based measures to improve employee health and the experience of Caterpillar Inc., where Taylor is medical director for health promotion.
Caterpillar found that even a $5 copay was enough to deter some from taking prescribed statin medication. When the medications were free, the compliance level jumped 14 percent to 80 percent of those prescribed.
The company also uses monetary incentives to encourage employees to buy healthier foods in its cafeterias, and to quit smoking. The article also encouraged smaller companies to look at simple value-based measures such as free flu shots.
Go to download page (PDF)
Posted on 25. Jul, 2009 by admin in News, Press Releases
Posted on 24. Jul, 2009 by admin in Library
New data from the New England Journal of Medicine shows reduction in prescription costs can reduce non-adherence in Medicare, BUT…
The research in the NEJM shows that patients can be encouraged to adhere to their medication and management regimens through a reduction the costs of their medications, despite the investment needed to lower the costs. However, those who already had rich benefits tended to extend their use of health resources, an “unintended consequence.” This may be the fuel for precision-focused value-based designs.
Read the free full-text report from the NEJM.
Posted on 21. Jul, 2009 by admin in Library, News
An article published in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Managed Care looked at whether lower co-payments or generic drugs increased adherence to prescribed drug regimens. Generic prescribing modestly improved adherence in two of the five conditions studied, while $0 copays were associated with improved adherence across the board.
Take-Away Points
Analysis of healthcare claims data from 45 large employers showed that generic prescribing was associated with both increases and decreases in medication adherence as well as no effect, depending on the study condition (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, seizure disorders, or type 2 diabetes).
* Copayments of $0 were a more consistent predictor of increased adherence.
* Cost-related nonadherence and associated negative consequences will likely increase if pharmacy benefits are constructed in such a way as to promote generics without consideration of copayments.
Download the full article (PDF) here.
