McKesson Shares Insights into Successful Payer Transformation Strategies at Two Leading Healthcare Events

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--McKesson is taking a leadership role in helping health plans successfully transition to healthcare reimbursement models that compensate providers for the value of services that patients receive, rather than the volume of services that providers render. Such models foster greater collaboration between payers and providers in improving both clinical and financial outcomes. Presentations by McKesson experts at two major healthcare industry events highlight the groundwork for health plans as they design, implement and measure the results of these innovative programs.

“The healthcare industry is in a period of tremendous experimentation with payment and care delivery reforms that can provide the necessary impetus and information for payers, providers and patients to be more accountable for their unique roles in the care process”

“The healthcare industry is in a period of tremendous experimentation with payment and care delivery reforms that can provide the necessary impetus and information for payers, providers and patients to be more accountable for their unique roles in the care process,” explained Emad Rizk, M.D., president of McKesson Health Solutions, at April’s 9^th Annual World Health Care Congress (WHCC) event in Washington, D.C. “Payers and providers are working together in new and very powerful ways, sharing data, processes and ultimately the risk of managing patient populations. This altogether new level of collaboration and engagement will result in better health for Americans, as well as better business health for the industry.”

World Health Care Congress

Dr. Rizk participated in a keynote panel discussion on the topic of “Achieving Accountable Care Through Value-Based Payment Models” at WHCC, while Douglas Moeller, M.D., medical director at McKesson Health Solutions, presented on “Bundled Payments for Care Episodes and Chronic Disease: Determining Value, Payments and Quality.” Bundled payments for episodes of care represent one of the most promising approaches for controlling healthcare spending while improving patient outcomes. By establishing a set, comprehensive fee for a given episode of care, such as a total knee replacement, this approach encourages the delivery of evidence-based care while reducing complications and duplicated services. Interviews with Dr. Rizk and Dr. Moeller can be viewed at MHSdialogue.com, the company’s thought leadership website.

AHIP’s Institute 2012

Next month in Salt Lake City, at the annual meeting of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), James Evans, vice president of financial management at McKesson Health Solutions, will discuss the issues of complex provider contracting, payment and reimbursement policies, which health plans will need to embrace, understand and master to successfully execute the shift to value-based reimbursement.

“Payers need a highly automated environment that links networks, contracts, and policy and reimbursement strategies and addresses emerging elements of risk sharing and network and contract variation that are inherent in any complex care delivery system,” said Evans.

Hand-in-hand with payment reform initiatives are care management programs that use advanced technology to improve medical team coordination and communication, which McKesson will also showcase at AHIP’s Institute 2012. The McKesson VITAL Care Management model offers a flexible, comprehensive suite of solutions that integrate case, disease and utilization management, InterQual^® clinical decision support criteria and tools, engagement strategies, nurse advice, and business insight. This integrated technology coordinates patient data and information, identifies gaps in care, and engages members and providers, improving patient health outcomes while creating workflow efficiencies and reducing cost.

For more information on McKesson Health Solutions, please visit our website, hear from our experts at MHSdialogue, and follow us on Twitter at @McKesson_MHS.

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About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 14th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit us at www.mckesson.com.

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