Humana launches value-based payment program for hospitals

The private insurance market is pushing forward with outcomes-based pricing programs amid calls for the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) to ramp up efforts to shift toward value-based care models. Louisville, Kentucky-based Humana announced Wednesday the launch of the Hospital Incentive Program, intended to reduce duplicative services and hospital readmissions, which can be costly. Under the program, which is available to hospitals with an active commercial contract with Humana, payments will be made to general acute care hospitals based on how they improve patient experience, safety and outcomes compared to other hospitals in their region or nationally.