Those are promising signs. On the other hand, the fundamental economics of the value-based arrangement still aren’t clear. If fee-for-service turns out to more profitable for both payer and provider, then value-based care won’t survive outside of Medicare Advantage. And there have been failures in the past, as cited above.

Under value-based care, payers win financially when their members are engaged and receiving the right care, because that’s how they both drive membership AND limit costs. Patients are the winners.