Health Care Payment and Policy

Catalog description

Health Care Payment and Policy is a course which focuses on the roles of payers, purchasers, providers and consumers in the shifting arena of health care coverage. Throughout the course, we will consider the Affordable Care Act and the regulations implemented over the past decade to implement that law and set in motion the health care industry's move to value-based care. The first part of the course will explore the development of health insurance, the growth of managed care models and the role of employers in shaping health benefits. The second portion of the course will explore the evolution of Medicare and Medicaid. The final portion of the course will consider the ongoing transition to value-based care payment and delivery models. This will include an evaluation of new payment models such as Accountable Care Organizations and Patient Centered Medical Homes. Students will also examine value-based strategies that drive better quality outcomes, enhance patient experiences and lower health care costs, including those needed to improve health and wellness of individuals and address the social determinants of health across communities.