Don't Be Late to the Party: Importance of Adopting a Value-Based Care Model

Published in Member Communities on April 04, 2023

Boone LockardBy Boone Lockard, Director, VGM Respiratory 

Value-based care is a popular term in the HME industry, especially in recent years. As the industry shifts towards a more value-based approach, it’s important for providers to understand its significance and why they should start to incorporate value-based care programs into their business sooner rather than later. 

What is Value-Based Care? 

The value-based care model is a healthcare delivery approach that emphasizes achieving optimal health outcomes for patients at a lower cost. Rather than focusing solely on the volume of care provided, value-based care prioritizes patient outcomes and quality of care while also trying to control costs. 

Under a value-based care model, healthcare providers are incentivized to deliver high-quality care that leads to positive health outcomes, improves patient health, reduces readmissions costs, and ultimately lowers healthcare costs. This model aims to shift away from a short-term focus on payment methods to a more long-term model that generates substantial savings and also improves quality. 

Currently, we see that many DME providers are trying to adopt a value-based care model into their businesses, whether it be by implementing clinical sessions, providing a plan of care goals to their patients, etc. The key to this, however, is to capture the data that is being collected and utilize it in a tool or platform to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs. Being able to go to payers and physicians with this data to show what these programs are actually doing for their patients and how they are improving metrics is huge. 

We are also seeing that while providers are supplying the equipment, doing the setup, providing education regarding that setup, and so on, they're really focused on compliance. However, under a value-based care model, it is important to think of the patient as a whole, in regard to their overall condition or disease state, rather than just providing a piece of equipment or a fee-for-service type model. Aim to manage patients, not just the compliance aspect. 

Value-Based is Here to Stay 

The shift towards a value-based care model has gained momentum across the country, with many healthcare providers and organizations adopting this approach to healthcare delivery. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed that by 2030, 100% of their patients will be moved over to a value or outcomes-based reimbursement structure. The idea of this is for CMS to move away from a short-term focus on payment methods to a more long-term model that generates substantial savings and also improves quality. 

DME providers should start considering how to shift their current structure to reflect a more value-based care model. Providers that have already adopted this model will likely stand out to payers and referral sources over a provider still utilizing a fee-for-service model. 

Programs to Deliver Outcomes 

There are a number of programs and services in the industry that can help providers start moving towards a value-based model that can also help capture more referrals and patients in the long run. 

There are certain programs out there that take the care plans and models, along with the metrics and data gathered, and provide them into a deliverable software platform, making it easy to deliver those outcomes and data to physicians and payer sources. 

While the direct impact on revenue may not be immediate, there could be potential cost savings for providers in the long term as value-based care models focus on reducing hospital readmissions and improving patient outcomes, which can ultimately result in lower costs. Additionally, providers may be eligible for incentives or bonuses for meeting certain quality metrics or outcomes, which can also positively impact their revenue. Plus, providers are more likely to win over referral sources or providers with a value-based care model. 

Overall, the shift towards value-based care can have long term benefits for both patients and providers. 


TAGS

  1. hme
  2. respiratory
  3. vgm

From Our Experts

Meet The 2025 O&P Woman of the Year, Fanny Schultea thumbnail Meet The 2025 O&P Woman of the Year, Fanny Schultea OPGA is proud to announce that Fanny Schultea, MS, MSEd, CPO, LP, FAAOP, Executive Director of The Orthotics and Prosthetics Foundation for Education and Research, has been selected as the 2025 O&P Woman of the Year. Setting Up Your HME for Enrollment Success thumbnail Setting Up Your HME for Enrollment Success Unlock enrollment success for your HME business with tips on provider enrollment, CMS compliance, and avoiding pitfalls. Stay prepared and compliant. September Shift: From Busy to Better—Owning the Home in HME thumbnail September Shift: From Busy to Better—Owning the Home in HME Discover how HME providers can shift from busy to better this September. Learn strategies for enhancing patient experiences, improving operational efficiency, and navigating payer complexities. Join us in building lasting customer relationships and fostering community engagement for a successful Q4 and beyond. The Role of DMEPOS in Value-Based Healthcare thumbnail The Role of DMEPOS in Value-Based Healthcare Explore how DMEPOS providers contribute to value-based care by enhancing patient outcomes, reducing costs, and promoting healthcare transformation. VGM Expands Expertise with Industry Consultants thumbnail VGM Expands Expertise with Industry Consultants VGM & Associates is excited to announce the expansion of its VGM Professional Services team with the addition of Steve Baker, Brian Bersano, & Tonya Williams. A Data-Driven Approach to Unlocking Growth in the HME Industry thumbnail A Data-Driven Approach to Unlocking Growth in the HME Industry Discover how to enhance your HME business growth with data-driven strategies with actionable tools and resources. VGM & Associates Launches “IM: Unfiltered” Podcast Series thumbnail VGM & Associates Launches “IM: Unfiltered” Podcast Series VGM & Associates is proud to announce the launch of its new podcast series, IM: Unfiltered, created with members of the VGM community in mind. This dynamic new series delivers candid conversations, expert insights, and timely updates that matter most to home medical equipment (HME) providers. Expanding Your DME Offerings for Breastfeeding Awareness Month thumbnail Expanding Your DME Offerings for Breastfeeding Awareness Month Discover how DME providers can celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August 2025 by expanding their offerings to include mother/baby products.