Effects of episode-based payment on health care spending and utilization: Evidence from perinatal care in Arkansas

Caitlin Carroll, Michael Chernew, A. Mark Fendrick, Joe Thompson and Sherri Rose

Journal of Health Economics, 2018, vol. 61, issue C, 47-62

Abstract: We study how physicians respond to financial incentives imposed by episode-based payment (EBP), which encourages lower spending and improved quality for an entire episode of care. Specifically, we study the impact of the Arkansas Health Care Payment Improvement Initiative, a multi-payer program that requires providers to enter into EBP arrangements for perinatal care, covering the majority of births in the state. Unlike fee-for-service reimbursement, EBP holds physicians responsible for all care within a discrete episode, rewarding physicians for efficient use of their own services and for efficient management of other health care inputs. In a difference-in-differences analysis of commercial claims, we find that perinatal spending in Arkansas decreased by 3.8% overall under EBP, compared to surrounding states. The decrease was driven by reduced spending on non-physician health care inputs, specifically the prices paid for inpatient facility care. We additionally find a limited improvement in quality of care under EBP.

Keywords: I1; I11; Physician payment methods; Bundled payment; Incentive contracts; Physician productivity; Perinatal care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:47-62

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.06.010

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