How Employers Are Improving Care and Lowering Costs for Complex Patients

The Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) will produce case studies of up to three models for improving the value of health care provided to medically complex patients: the Intensive Outpatient Care Program, implemented by Boeing, CalPERS, and Pacific Gas & Electric; the employer-driven accountable care arrangements in place at Boeing and Intel; and one other innovation to be determined and approved by The Commonwealth Fund. PBGH will choose the models based on availability of quantitative data on quality improvement and cost savings as well as the potential for adoption by other purchasers. Project staff will interview at least one benefits administrator and one senior executive at each of the companies involved. Questions will focus on: success metrics and performance-guarantee structures; data reporting and exchange; improvement in patient experience or cost savings; challenges encountered during rollout; compatibility with other benefit strategies; and alignment with public purchasing efforts. In addition, PBGH staff will review internal quantitative data on quality and utilization for each model.

The case studies will yield new evidence on the impact that different purchasing strategies can have on care improvement and cost control. The PBGH team will disseminate results to key policymakers, such as the Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Working Group, and conduct outreach with the broader business community through national and regional business coalitions (including approximately 100 individual employers).