In the dental industry, fee-for-service is typically the preferred payment model, but value-based care is becoming a more viable option.
The FFS model offers a set payment in exchange for quantity of services compared to the VBC model, which introduces other reimbursement elements into the equation, according to Caitlin Walsdorf, a partner at HealthScape Advisors.
HealthScape recently released a report on the current state of value-based care in the dental space, which surveyed both dental providers and payers.
The report pointed to the potential of value-based care in the industry, highlighting the potential benefits for improved care and how the industry has the chance to define what a value-based model could look like.
"The dental industry has an opportunity to define value-based care for themselves and design programs that work for both parties," Ms. Walsdorf told Becker's. "We think that both payers and providers should work together to design mutually beneficial programs before regulators put forth programs with which the industry is going to be compelled to comply."
Ms. Walsdorf believes the biggest benefactor of a value-based care model in dentistry would be the patient, as a VBC model can help ensure "patients get the care they need when they need it."
At this point, the biggest barrier to implementing a value-based care model is people, according to the report. A way to jump that hurdle would involve providers and payers coming together.
"What we think could be an accelerator is if the industry was able to work together and align more broadly around perhaps a key goal, key metrics, things like that, to create a little bit of standardization," Ms. Walsdorf said.
While value-based care is not common-place in the dental industry right now, it is on an upward trajectory and something to keep an eye on moving forward.
"I think that the industry is at an inflection point when we look at broad market factors, ensuring product, landscape and consolidating payer," Ms. Walsdorf told Becker's. "Landscape, evolving provider, landscape, accelerating technology that makes value based care may create some tailwinds that make value-based care interesting in the near term."