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March 15, 2011 Carl Graziano

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Care Continuum Alliance Releases Value-Based Addendums to Outcomes Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Care Continuum Alliance today released three addendums to its Outcomes Guidelines Report that illustrate how the guidelines’ evidence-based program measures can support a value-based benefits design framework developed by the Center for Health Value Innovation (CHVI).

The addendums build on work started in 2010 to combine the Care Continuum Alliance’s structure for measuring outcomes in population health management with the CHVI’s framework for “Outcomes-Based Contracting.” At the Care Continuum Alliance’s 2010 annual meeting, The Forum 10, the groups presented the concept during a joint educational session.

Each of the addendums released today includes a matrix that provides guidance on data and outcomes measures, incentive “levers” and delivery methods for three value-based design approaches: waste reduction, risk reduction and performance and productivity improvement. The addendums also include case studies keyed to each of the value-based design levels to demonstrate the various approaches in practice.

“Our collaboration with CHVI is a valuable extension of our Outcomes Guidelines work and these new documents show the synergy between our approaches to improving care quality and value,” says Jeanette May, PhD, MPH, Care Continuum Alliance research and quality vice president.

“The Care Continuum Alliance has repeatedly published the evidence of coordinated care management for better outcomes. Linking this with the work of our CHVI has been a joy, as it shows the alignment of incentives for better outcomes through engagement, accountable care and predictable cost trends,” says CHVI President and Co-Founder Cyndy Nayer, MA.

The Care Continuum Alliance last year produced a fifth volume of its landmark Outcomes Guidelines Report, an industry consensus, evidence-based approach to measuring clinical and financial outcomes in wellness and chronic care programs. The guidelines and new addendums are available as free downloads from the Care Continuum Alliance at www.carecontinuum.org.

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About the Care Continuum Alliance

The Care Continuum Alliance represents more than 200 organizations and individuals and aligns all stakeholders in the care continuum toward improving population health. Through advocacy, research and education, the Care Continuum Alliance advances strategies to improve care quality and outcomes and reduce preventable costs for the well and those with and at risk of chronic conditions. Learn more at www.carecontinuum.org

About the Center for Health Value Innovation

The Center for Health Value Innovation (CHVI, 501c3) showcases evidence of improved health quality and economic trend through value-based benefit designs. CHVI has developed the Health Value Accelerator™ so that the market can use the evidence to improve business health outcomes. Evidence and Health Value Accelerator are available at www.vbheath.org

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – September 09, 2009 –The Center for Health Value Innovation (www.vbhealth.org), the nation’s leading information exchange for value-based design, announces the publication of its first book, Leveraging Health. Authored by three of the recognized experts in value-based design — Cyndy Nayer, president and CEO of the Center, Jack Mahoney, M.D., chief medical officer of the Center, and Jan Berger, M.D., strategic advisor — the book uses real-world case studies from public and private organizations to illustrate 15 “levers” of value-based design.

Raymond Zastrow, M.D., vice president of the Center, will chair the book launch event, September 30, 2009, 8 a.m., at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. The authors will attend an evening book signing event, 5:30 p.m. at the World Congress, Consumer Health Care Congress, Alexandria, Va. Use coupon code MCM464 to receive a 50 percent discount on registration fees.

“In the past 25 years, cost compression has done little to slow the growth of chronic disease and related costs,” says Dr. Mahoney. “We used our collective expertise and real-world business experiences to showcase the innovations that change the dynamics of poorly managed health. Readers can access insights on where to start, which levers to use, and how to measure outcomes that matter to the C-suite.”

Leveraging Health uses “suites” of levers, a metaphor for plan designs and incentives, to show benefits decision makers how to make informed decisions on benefits and services for better corporate performance.

“The Center’s first book will be a valuable tool for senior level executives at public and private organizations,” says Nayer. “Organizations of all sizes and sectors are faced with the economics of health cost and impact. Leveraging Health is the definitive reference work that dissects plan design and incentives for prevention, wellness, chronic care and delivery services. We expect that this book will expand our scope of influence far beyond the 40 million covered lives that the Center represents.”

“These are exciting times in the world of value-based design,” says Berger. “The Center and value-based design are becoming part of the national dialogue on health policy in this country. The levers of value-based design are thoughtfully articulated and positioned for those seeking strategic and practical solutions.”