A new personal health support model is emerging—a model that more accurately describes what we are able to do with individuals within the population. This approach moves well beyond simply targeting a few diseases to one that addresses the needs of more individuals within a health plan or employer group. It focuses on providing individuals with the tools, support and coordination of care necessary to affect health in ways that provide meaningful and lasting outcomes. more»

"Value-based insurance design" (VBID) is being embraced by a growing number of employers, especially those who self-insure, as they seek the twin goals of optimizing employee health and containing costs.

The main pillars of VBID are providing employees with greater incentives to seek out high-value health services while erecting disincentives to low-value services viewed as over-prescribed by medical professionals, explained A. Mark Fendrick, MD, professor of internal medicine and health management at the University of Michigan. Fendrick was among the keynote speakers at the 2009 Health and Human Capital Congress held on Feb. 5, 2009, near Washington, D.C. more»