Fostering accountable health care: moving forward in medicare

Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 Mar-Apr;28(2):w219-31. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.2.w219. Epub 2009 Jan 27.

Abstract

To succeed, health care reform must slow spending growth while improving quality. We propose a new approach to help achieve more integrated and efficient care by fostering local organizational accountability for quality and costs through performance measurement and "shared savings" payment reform. The approach is practical and feasible: it is voluntary for providers, builds on current referral patterns, requires no change in benefits or lock-in for beneficiaries, and offers the possibility of sustained provider incomes even as total costs are constrained. We simulate the potential expenditure impact and show that significant Medicare savings are possible.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Financial Management / standards*
  • Health Care Reform
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics*
  • Humans
  • Medicare*
  • Social Responsibility*
  • United States