Key Lessons in Transitioning to Value-Based Payment to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes
Thursday, September 5th, 2019
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM ET
CMS’s Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP) Maternal and Infant Health Initiative (MIHI) Value-Based Payment (VBP) team is hosting a national webinar on Thursday, September 5th, 2019 from 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM ET on lessons learned in making the transition from fee-for- service payments to VBP for maternal and infant health care.
The first half of the webinar provided an overview from two of the participating Medicaid IAP MIHI VBP states, Maine and Mississippi, about how they selected, developed, and implemented a VBP or contracting approach to reduce adverse birth outcomes. Webinar participants also heard from a Pennsylvania Medicaid agency representative about the state’s VBP approach for MIH, including outcomes. The second half of the webinar featured a state panel discussion, during which representatives from the highlighted states (Maine, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania) discussed key considerations and lessons learned for designing a VBP or contracting approach based on their own landscape, capacity, and alignment with other state-level initiatives. Webinar participants had an opportunity to engage in a question and answer session.
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. 
