AHIP, AMA, NAACOS partner to address 5 data challenges in value-based care

Better data sharing practices can improve value-based care arrangements, according to a new report from AHIP, the American Medical Association and the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations. 

The report, published July 25, addresses five possible solutions to current data sharing challenges in value-based care. 

The three organizations are creating an ongoing partnership to grow participation in value-based care, according to a July 25 news release. 

"When diverse minds and perspectives collaborate, the true potential of value-based care emerges," Matt Eyles, AHIP President and CEO said. "The playbook represents collective effort and shared responsibility, with the goal of reshaping the healthcare landscape, empowering patients, reducing operational burden and driving positive change."

Here are five challenges in data collection in value-based care, according to the organizations

1. Creating interoperable data: A lack of standardization can make it difficult for value-based care organizations and providers to share data across different EHR platforms. Data standardization and limiting the number of platforms providers must use can help streamline data, according to the report. 
2. Sharing complete data: It can be difficult for value-based care organizations to collect complete cost data for patients and integrate data from public sources. Standardizing patient data and comparing claims data for a clear picture of costs and utilization across patient populations can offer value-based care organizations and payers more data to work with. 
3. Challenges with health equity data: Demographic data collection is not standard across organizations, and patients may not see value in providing their information to their provider. Providers can up incentives for staff to collect social determinants of health data, integrate data from public sources, and improve communication with patients about data collection. 
4. Making data usable: Different practices have different levels of experience dealing with large amounts of data. Providers, value-based care organizations and payers should focus on actionable, timely data, share data monthly, and automate data sharing where possible. 
5. Value-based care organizations need data to mitigate risk: Value-based care organizations can take on more financial risk than fee-for-service providers. Payers should share benchmarks ahead of the performance period when possible and use transparent processes to calculate payments, according to the report.