What is Value-Based Care?

In simple terms, value-based care is about quality, not quantity. About relationships, not transactions.

The concept of value-based care isn’t new, but it’s one that’s being talked about more and more. While healthcare industry insiders may be quite familiar with the term, we wanted to dive a bit deeper into the topic for the benefit of those who are newer to the term.

An Overview of Value-Based Care

Value-based care is a delivery model that prioritizes quality of provider performance, patience experience, and health outcomes. Along with value-based care comes payment models that offer a financial incentive for providing high-quality, efficient care. This is an alternative to the traditional fee-for-service system.

Value-based care can have a profound impact on individuals, and it can also positively impact population health. It improves equity, improves outcomes, and improves the well-being of the workforce.

How Value-Based Care Aligns with Whole Health

Because value-based care focuses on patient outcomes, you could say it’s synonymous with whole-person care.

An integrated approach to care means an individual’s providers work together to manage physical, mental, and behavioral health. This collaboration removes silos and opens communication—and the benefits can be remarkable.

Additionally, this team-based model helps providers uncover social, emotional, and situational needs that could adversely impact someone’s health. In turn, they can refer individuals to vital resources, such as food banks, transportation, and other assistance programs.

Adopting a value-based care model moves us forward. As an industry, as a community, and as individuals.

Value-Based Care & Heartland Whole Health Institute

The nation’s health care crisis is real: costs are rising, while quality of life is declining. That’s why patient-centered, value-based care is among our top priorities at Heartland Whole Health Institute.

Our research and policy work will help drive forward outcomes-driven care and value-based payment models. And initiatives like our Health Coaching program demonstrate the concrete benefits of preventive care and provider collaboration–and they offer tested models that others can recreate.

Exploring Further: Resources for Value-Based Care

Want to learn more? Here are a few resources for further reading and watching:

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have a website called Value-Based Care Spotlight that offers a user-friendly overview.
• The American Medical Association podcast released an episode dedicated to value-based care and what it means to both providers and patients. Watch “What value-based care is and why everyone is talking about it” at the clip, below, or directly on YouTube.