A cohort study published in JAMA Health Forum compared beneficiary care in a state with the original Home Health Value Based Purchasing (HHVBP) demonstration and states which did not participate in the demonstration. The study found that HHVBP states were associated with lower Medicare payments, especially with inpatient and skilled nursing utilization and maintained or improved quality of care. The rate of home health episodes dropped slightly in HHVBP states than comparison states. The study found that overall, four of the nine states in the original demonstration showed evidence of savings. Researchers stated more analysis of agency specific characteristics and how those played out in savings and quality improvements was needed. The study was funded by CMS as part of their evaluation contract for the HHVBP demonstration.
