March 22, 2024
A New Model for Value-Based Healthcare
A new model by the University of Lucerne, Groupe Mutuel and the University Hospital of Basel, demonstrates how healthcare services can be reimbursed based on their quality. The cost-neutral payment system is funded by savings of CHF 1.7 to 8.5 million annually, projected across Switzerland. In its second phase, this project—rooted in the principles of Value-Based Healthcare—welcomes new partners, including the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, offering promising solutions for a more efficient healthcare system.
Transforming Healthcare with Value-Based Care: Quality Over Quantity
At the heart of our healthcare system lies a simple yet profound goal: improving patient outcomes. Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC) places patients at the center of care, ensuring that their needs, preferences, and overall well-being drive every medical decision. The mission of the Pay for Performance Project (P4P) is to shift the focus from the service volume delivered to the value they provide, emphasizing quality, outcomes, and patient experience.
Through innovative collaborations with leading hospitals, Insurer and a University, the scope of the project is to develop new reimbursement models that reward healthcare providers for delivering high-quality outcomes rather than merely increasing the quantity of treatments. This pilot project, in partnership with institutions such as the University Hospital Basel and the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, aims to show that VBHC improve patient experience, decrease complication rates, and save significant costs.
Concrete Results: Real Impact on Healthcare Costs
The latest project, focusing on hip and knee replacements, revealed the potential for significant financial and patient outcome benefits. In Switzerland, a typical hip replacement costs around CHF 18,000. However, if complications arise, the average cost jumps to CHF 37,500 per case. By reducing complication rates for these operations, the Swiss healthcare system could save between CHF 1.7 million and 8.5 million annually.
Those responsible for the project propose to reinvest these savings to finance quality bonuses. This innovates reimbursement scheme rewards hospitals for maintaining low rates of revisions and unplanned readmissions and for gathering and achieving superior patient-reported outcomes (PROMs).
A Future Built on Value
By incorporating PROMs and rewarding hospitals that excel in quality care, VBHC is reshaping how healthcare services are delivered and reimbursed. As the project enters the next phase of the journey, partnerships are expanded and the reimbursement model is refine to ensure that VBHC becomes a cornerstone of the Swiss healthcare system.
Together, the involved parties are building a future where healthcare revolves around the true value it brings to patients—because quality should always come first.
We, the VBHC Suisse association support this project and believe in its vision and potential. While we are not directly involved or providing financial assistance, we are excited to see its progress and look forward to its success. Join us in driving a healthcare revolution!