Value-Based Care

Value-based care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on improving patient health outcomes while managing costs responsibly.

Transitioning the state’s rural healthcare ecosystem to a value-based model of care is the north star of Georgia’s plan for GREAT Health. Initiative 1: Transforming for a Sustainable Health System in Rural Georgia will prepare rural healthcare facilities and Georgia to succeed in a multi-payer value-based model of care, which is currently envisioned to be a version of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) AHEAD Model.  

The rural-centric version of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model will focus on innovative healthcare by transforming how care is paid for, delivered, and measured at both hospital and primary care levels. DCH is excited about the opportunities this model brings for improved patient outcomes and increased stability for rural hospitals. By aligning incentives across payers, AHEAD enables states and providers to innovate in care delivery and population health. 

As part of this initiative within the Rural Health Transformation Program, the state’s strategy is to dedicate resources to work collaboratively with healthcare facilities and leaders to assess readiness, identify gaps, provide technical assistance, and mitigate fiscal risk, particularly for already vulnerable hospitals and small rural clinics. 

After careful review and collaboration with CMS, 93 hospitals were deemed eligible for the model based upon their location and CMS designations (Critical Access Hospitals, Sole Community Hospitals, Rural Referral Centers). These hospitals were offered the opportunity to sign a Letter of Intent to explore the model and join in GREAT Health related pre-implementation projects by March 15, 2026. The list of hospitals who committed to this 3-year pre-implementation period will be released in the coming weeks.  

Important note: this initiative will continue after the Rural Health Transformation Program funding has completed. DCH will go through an additional application process to become fully part of the AHEAD program in mid-2026. Rural Health Transformation dollars will be spent to ensure providers are ready and fully informed on participation before the model launches in full, which is expected to be 2029.