What is a common goal of quality benchmarks in reimbursement models?

Quality benchmarks in reimbursement models are primarily designed to improve patient outcomes and service quality. These benchmarks provide measurable standards against which healthcare providers can be assessed, focusing on aspects like the effectiveness of treatments, patient safety, and the overall patient experience. By establishing these benchmarks, reimbursement models encourage providers to enhance the quality of care they deliver, ensuring that patients receive optimal services that lead to better health results.

Improving patient outcomes and service quality is foundational in transitioning from volume-based care to value-based care, where providers are rewarded not just for the quantity of services rendered, but for the quality of those services and the outcomes achieved. This shift is essential for creating a healthcare environment that prioritizes patient wellbeing and satisfaction.

The other options, while related to healthcare delivery, do not capture the central intent of quality benchmarks in the same way. For example, increasing the number of patients seen or reducing administrative burdens may improve efficiency but does not directly address the quality of care being provided. Similarly, while eliminating unnecessary services can be a byproduct of improving care quality, it is not the primary goal of establishing quality benchmarks.