Go Slow On Reference Pricing: Not Ready For Prime Time

Editor’s note: This post is part one of two on reference pricing.  The use of reference pricing by health insurers and employee health benefit plans stands high on the policy and regulatory agenda because it is gaining popularity, particularly now that federal agencies have blessed its use by large group insurers and self-insured plans, while imposing only relatively lax requirements. The purpose of reference pricing is to enable patients to “shop” for care and to spur provider competition by creating a group of “designated” in-network providers that agree to abide by the reference price while others do not (“non-designated providers”). Patients who select more expensive non-designated providers must pay extra, letting them decide whether the extra out-of-pocket cost is worth it. Providers compete, either by agreeing to the reference price or by lowering their prices to approach it. Prices are driven downward. Reference pricing is superficially appealing because it invokes powers that consumers exercise every day, as they weigh cost and value for items ranging from cold cereal to new cars. But it also raises significant issues regarding quality and access to care and has the potential to discriminate against sick and vulnerable patients. The strategy may also prove costly in relation to the benefits it confers. We urge a go-slow approach and more careful regulation. Concept versus Reality Conceptually, reference pricing should work well for “shoppable”...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: All Categories Business of Health Care Competition Consumers Employer-Sponsored Insurance Health Care Costs Health Reform Hospitals Payment Pharma Spending Source Type: blogs