How Value-Based Care Can Support Efforts to Address Health Equity

The pandemic highlighted and exacerbated numerous disparities in care impacting patient outcomes and quality of life. To deliver high-value care to diverse populations requires payers to intentionally design their payment methodologies to support health equity — the elimination of unjust, avoidable, and unnecessary barriers in health and health care. The solution begins with acknowledging the impact of social and structural determinants of health on the ability of patients to access care and adhere to a care plan.

Through its ability to influence clinical decision-making and reimburse physicians and other healthcare providers for the quality care they provide, value-based care provides a pathway to address and remove barriers to health equity. In a recent panel discussion at the Payer+Provider Summit, leaders from Humana and CenterWell Senior Primary Care shared insights into how value-based care can advance health equity efforts.