Activity-based funding model provides foundation for province-wide best practices in renal care.
British Columbia has a unique funding model for renal care in Canada. Patient care is delivered through six health authorities, while funding is administered by the Provincial Renal Agency using an activity-based funding model. The model allocates funding based on a schedule of costs for every element of renal care, excluding physician fees. Accountability, transparency of allocation and tracking of outcomes are key features that ensure successful implementation. The model supports province-wide best practices and equitable care and fosters innovation. Since its introduction, the outpatient renal services budget has grown less than the population, while maintaining or improving clinical outcomes.
head of the Division of Nephrology and professor of medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia; and executive director of the BC Provincial Renal Agency, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Levin is an academic clinician researcher and administrator involved in health outcomes research and translation of research findings into clinical care. Dr. Levin can be contacted at 604-682-2344, ext. 62232, or by e-mail at ALevin@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Adeera
A
Levin
Clinical pharmacy specialist with Fraser Health Authority and an administrative fellow with the BC Provincial Renal Agency, in Surrey, British Columbia. He has a particular interest in patient quality and safety in addition to research and theory in the efficient allocation of resources.
Clifford
C
Lo
Communications consultant for the BC Provincial Renal Agency, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has particular expertise in the area of knowledge translation related to health system research.
Kevin
K
Noel
BC Provincial Renal Agency senior officer in methodology and analytics and the PHSA corporate director of performance measurement and reporting, in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a statistician and methodologist who has played a key role in the derivation and validation of the original funding model.
Ogjnenka
O
Djurdjev
director of business planning for the BC Provincial Renal Agency, in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a key contributor in the implementation of the PRA funding model and the rollout of BC Transplant's new pre- and post-transplant clinic funding model.
Erlyn C
EC
Amano
D001955:British Columbia; D003361:Cost Allocation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D018803:Models, Economic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013219:State Government