Association of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model With Quality, Utilization, and Medicare Payments After the First 5 Years

Key Points Question How did quality, utilization, and Medicare payments differ after the 5 years of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model? Findings In this cohort study of US patients who received care at a home health agency between 2013 and 2020 in 9 original HHVBP states compared with those in comparison states, a difference-in-differences analysis found the HHVBP model was associated with lower Medicare payments that were associated with lower utilization of inpatient and skilled nursing facility services. Quality was better or similar. Meaning The study results suggest that financial incentives for home health agency quality performance were associated with reduced Medicare payments and utilization while improving or maintaining quality.

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