Value-based healthcare: prerequisites and suggestions for full-fledged implementation in the Republic of Korea.
10.5124/jkma.2017.60.10.826
- Author:
Joon HURH
1
;
Young Hee KO
;
Sang Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies, Seoul, Korea. yhko@assist.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Value-based healthcare;
Clinical outcomes;
Cost control;
Delivery of health care;
Republic of Korea
- MeSH:
Cost Control;
Cost Savings;
Critical Pathways;
Delivery of Health Care*;
Financial Management;
Korea;
Patient Care;
Pilot Projects;
Registries;
Republic of Korea*;
United States
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2017;60(10):826-840
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Healthcare systems around the world share the common goals of improving clinical outcomes, optimizing cost reductions and efficiencies, and expanding access to care in a patient-centric manner, yet they are stymied by 2 critical challenges: wide variations in patients' clinical outcomes and soaring costs. In response to these challenges, many healthcare systems throughout the world are pivoting towards value-based healthcare (VBHC), to ultimately 1) move from volume-based to value-based care, 2) promote patient-centric care, and 3) reverse rising costs. While the United States and European nations are piloting alternative payment models, South Korea has a similar set of objectives to adopt value or performance-based payment systems. Two exemplary programs helping to move Korea towards a VBHC model are currently under way: the Support Fund Program for Care Quality Assessment and the Healthcare Benefit Appropriateness Assessment Program. However, in order to permanently establish a full-fledged VBHC system in Korea, the following prerequisites must be met: 1) normalization of provider payment rates, 2) development and dissemination of critical pathways, 3) implementation of pilot projects in the medical device sector that contain risk-share payment schemes, 4) implementation of registries to aid data-driven coverage decisions, and 5) implementation of bundled payment pilot programs for the medical conditions for which proven critical pathways already exist. Ultimately, the medical device industry is in a unique position to enhance ongoing endeavors by Korean health authorities and providers to achieve quality patient care and cost savings, all in the service of the transition to VBHC.
