Value-based care in dentistry is often discussed, but there is no standard definition of what it looks like in the industry, according to a Sept. 17 report by HealthScape.
Dental payers and providers have different views on value-based care in dentistry, with payers taking a cost perspective and providers focusing more on quality of care.
There is currently an opportunity for the dental space to move more toward value-based care and away from the fee-for-service model, potentially fueled by the consolidating payer landscape, more providers joining DSOs and the adoption of new technology and AI.
The report, "Pathway to Value", surveyed more than 40 payers and more than 10 DSOs.
Here are six takeaways on the survey findings:
- The findings revealed that 100% of the payers with more than five million members that have no experience with VBC plan to implement the model within the next two to five years, compared to 35% of payers with less than five million members.
- On the DSO and provider side, more than 70% of the respondents that have more than 100 locations have experience with VBC. Of the 29% that do not have experience, half are likely to implement VBC care in the near future.
- For DSOs with less than 100 locations, only 25% have experience with VBC. Only one-third of smaller providers who do not have prior experience are likely to implement VBC.
- Technology also impacts experience levels with VBC. One-third of providers with legacy or proprietary technology have experience with VBC, compared to more than 60% of providers with more modern technology.
- Both payers and providers point to improving preventive dentistry for children and adults as the VBC goals that their organizations are most aligned with.
- The biggest challenge that payers and providers face when it comes to moving from FFS to VBC is interest levels, resource availability and incentive alignment.