Building the Future of Value-Based Payment - One Contract at a Time?

Why the just-announced Humana-Allina contract speaks to an accelerating Zeitgeist that favors Medicare Advantage as the major vehicle for value-based change right now. I read with particular interest the announcement this week that the Louisville-based Humana health plan had signed a multi-year value-based contract with the Minneapolis-based Allina integrated health system; and it struck me as yet further evidence of the Zeitgeist, l’esprit du temps, of this complicated moment in healthcare.

“The Louisville-based health plan Humana on Nov. 22 announced that it had signed a multi-year value-based contract to expand its engagement with the 11-hospital, 90-clinic, Minneapolis-based Allina Health integrated health system. As a press release posted to Business Wire on Monday stated, ‘Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), a leading health and well-being company, and Allina Health are expanding their existing agreement to focus on value-based care for Humana’s Medicare Advantage members in Minnesota. This multi-year agreement, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, is in keeping with Humana’s long-standing commitment to value-based care.