Dive Brief:
- A new study published in Health Affairs suggests that value-based insurance design programs may need to target specific populations and be in place for years before payers and patients see significant gains from them.
- The study looked at a VBID program offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina which eliminated copayments for generic meds and lowered copays for brand-name drugs. Med adherence improved from 2.7% to 3.4% during the two-year study period.
- The program increased the payer's med expenses by $6.4 million while saving only $5.7 million.
Dive Insight:
Researchers concluded that the VBID program did have some impact, at least in terms of overall quality of care. But the study did little to support the notion that VBID programs can have a quick-turnaround payoff for payers or providers. It looks like such programs are going to be a long-term play.