Incorporating Patient and Provider Incentives in Benefit Design to Improve Health Outcome
Health insurers are structuring patient and provider incentives into their benefit designs as part of strategies to improve health outcomes for their populations. This session will showcase how Medicaid and state employee benefit programs in three states have implemented financial and non-financial incentives for both patients and providers. Panelists will discuss impacts of these incentives on their programs and how incentives can be aligned with larger delivery system reform efforts. Attendees will hear about New Mexico’s Centennial Care Medicaid waiver, Oregon Public Employees’ Benefit Board, and Texas’ implementation of wellness incentives in its Medicaid program as part of the Medicaid Incentives for the Prevention of Chronic Disease (MIPCD) project.
Moderator
Cheryl Roberts, Deputy of Program and Operations, Health Services and Operations, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Speakers
Speakers
Julie Weinberg, Director, Medical Assistance Division, New Mexico Department of Human Services
Dena Stoner, Senior Policy Advisor and Wellness Incentives and Navigation Director, Texas Department of State Health Services
Joan Kapowich, Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, Oregon Health Authority and Administrator, Oregon Public Employees’ Benefit Board and Oregon Educators Board (retired)
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
