Linking payment to health outcomes: a taxonomy and examination of performance-based reimbursement schemes between healthcare payers and manufacturers.
OBJECTIVE
To identify, categorize and examine performance-based health outcomes reimbursement schemes for medical technology.


METHODS
We performed a review of performance-based health outcomes reimbursement schemes over the past 10 years (7/98-010/09) using publicly available databases, web and grey literature searches, and input from healthcare reimbursement experts. We developed a taxonomy of scheme types by inductively organizing the schemes identified according to the timing, execution, and health outcomes measured in the schemes.


RESULTS
Our search yielded 34 coverage with evidence development schemes, 10 conditional treatment continuation schemes, and 14 performance-linked reimbursement schemes. The majority of schemes are in Europe and Australia, with an increasing number in Canada and the U.S.


CONCLUSIONS
These schemes have the potential to alter the reimbursement and pricing landscape for medical technology, but significant challenges, including high transaction costs and insufficient information systems, may limit their long-term impact. Future studies regarding experiences and outcomes of implemented schemes are necessary.
Carlson
Josh J
JJ
Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-7630, United States. carlsojj@u.washington.edu
Sullivan
Sean D
SD
Garrison
Louis P
LP
Neumann
Peter J
PJ
Veenstra
David L
DL
D020811:Biomedical Technology; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive; D016896:Treatment Outcome