OREANDA-NEWS. May 31, 2012. McKesson is taking a leadership role in helping health plans successfully transition to healthcare reimbursement models that compensate providers for the value of services that patients receive, rather than the volume of services that providers render. Such models foster greater collaboration between payers and providers in improving both clinical and financial outcomes. Presentations by McKesson experts at two major healthcare industry events highlight the groundwork for health plans as they design, implement and measure the results of these innovative programs.

“The healthcare industry is in a period of tremendous experimentation with payment and care delivery reforms that can provide the necessary impetus and information for payers, providers and patients to be more accountable for their unique roles in the care process,” explained Emad Rizk, M.D., president of McKesson Health Solutions, at April’s 9th Annual World Health Care Congress (WHCC) event in Washington, D.C. “Payers and providers are working together in new and very powerful ways, sharing data, processes and ultimately the risk of managing patient populations. This altogether new level of collaboration and engagement will result in better health for Americans, as well as better business health for the industry.”
World Health Care Congress

Dr. Rizk participated in a keynote panel discussion on the topic of “Achieving Accountable Care Through Value-Based Payment Models” at WHCC, while Douglas Moeller, M.D., medical director at McKesson Health Solutions, presented on “Bundled Payments for Care Episodes and Chronic Disease: Determining Value, Payments and Quality.” Bundled payments for episodes of care represent one of the most promising approaches for controlling healthcare spending while improving patient outcomes. By establishing a set, comprehensive fee for a given episode of care, such as a total knee replacement, this approach encourages the delivery of evidence-based care while reducing complications and duplicated services. Interviews with Dr. Rizk and Dr. Moeller can be viewed at MHSdialogue.com, the company’s thought leadership website.