Patient Attribution: Why It Matters More Than Ever

New care delivery and payment models all seem to have the same key elements: a defined population, panels of people for whom health care providers are accountable, and a way to tie measures of quality and cost to those responsible. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Neatly defined panels of patients tied to specific providers are nonexistent - mostly due to people being able to seek care from whichever provider they chose, switch health insurance plans on a regular basis, and change addresses more frequently. These variables make it very challenging for a provider or organization to be responsible for these patients and more effectively manage the population and ensure everyone is getting the care appropriate for their circumstance and condition. A process called attribution is intended to resolve this issue. With its many variables, attribution is neither exact nor simple and no matter how it is designed, it has the potential to create frustration and resistance. This session will explain, in more detail, attribution and provider responsibility with an eye on understanding CMS guidelines, changes, and potential opportunities. Learn how to incorporate various components of attribution to positively influence the management of a population and why it matters more than ever.