In healthcare, success has always depended on collaboration, but never more so than today. As the industry continues its transition from fee-for-service to value-based care (VBC), it’s become clear that progress depends on how well payers, providers and patients align on shared goals and trusted partnerships.
During the Fall Becker’s Payer Issues Roundtable, I had the privilege of joining leaders from across the industry to discuss how effective contracting and value-based models can ignite sustainable growth. What struck me most was that while our experiences differ, our vision is the same: we all want a system where quality, access and accountability align to deliver better outcomes at lower costs.
Breaking Down the Barriers to Value
While we all shared our belief that value-based care is the future, we see that the industry isn’t fully there yet. Data fragmentation and legacy systems remain among the biggest obstacles, where we’re still dealing with technology ecosystems that often don’t “speak” to one another. After years of mergers and acquisitions, many organizations are left with disjointed infrastructure, and providers face real financial constraints that limit their ability to invest in interoperability.
Too often, payers have also been burned by promises of return on value-based investment that never materialized. This has naturally led to longer sales cycles and deeper scrutiny in contracting. But for models that do deliver – those that pair actionable data with clinical insight – the value is undeniable. At OneHome, our integrated networks and technology platforms have consistently demonstrated measurable cost savings for payers and patients alike. Achieving that impact begins with a mindset shift from volume to value, and from transactional to relational.
The Power of Data and Design
Technology and data are the engines behind any scalable VBC model, but they must serve people first. Scalability begins with ease of use. Every model we design must reduce friction for patients and clinicians through automation, predictive analytics, or more intuitive workflows that let clinicians practice at the top of their license. That can include automating redundant tasks and streamlining authorizations. At OneHome, we approach every partnership through a human-centered design lens: if it doesn’t make care easier to deliver or access, it doesn’t belong in the model.
At the same time, technology should amplify human connection as opposed to replacing it. When data sharing becomes a conversation instead of a compliance exercise, we see true collaboration emerge and with it, an improvement in outcomes.
Contracting for Collaboration, Not Control
Effective contracting is the backbone of scalable VBC. The most successful agreements are built on shared accountability and clear metrics where each party has responsibility and incentives tied to outcomes. At OneHome, we build contracts that reflect that balance and ensure all stakeholders share the same definition of success and have the data to measure it.
Equally important is the trust that underpins these agreements. Financial, operational, and clinical transparency is non-negotiable. When both sides commit to open dialogue and shared visibility into performance data, the relationship evolves from payer-vendor to true partners in care.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Value in the Post-Acute Space
The next frontier for growth lies in home-based post-acute care. With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the demand for cost-effective, high-quality post-acute care will only increase. By scaling proven models nationally, supported by technology and smart contracting, we can deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place for our aging population.
As I shared at the Fall Becker’s Payer Issues Roundtable, value-based care works best when everyone wins. Data must drive decisions, collaboration must fuel operations, and transparency must anchor every partnership. Only then can we create a health system that delivers value for everyone involved.
