A shared savings agreement, also known as a gain-sharing agreement, is a type of contract that provides incentives for two or more parties to collaborate and reduce costs in a certain area of business. The agreement is typically based on a percentage of the savings achieved by the parties involved, which is then shared among them.
In the healthcare industry, shared savings agreements are often used to encourage providers to deliver high-quality care while keeping costs low. These agreements are typically between healthcare providers and payers, such as insurance companies or government programs like Medicare.
Under a shared savings agreement, healthcare providers are given incentives to reduce the overall cost of care for a certain population of patients while still maintaining or improving the quality of care. For example, providers may be rewarded for keeping patients out of the hospital or reducing the number of emergency room visits.
Shared savings agreements can be structured in a variety of ways, but they typically involve some type of financial incentive for the parties involved. For example, a provider may receive a percentage of the savings achieved as a bonus payment, or the savings may be used to fund future investments in the same area of business.
In addition to healthcare, shared savings agreements are used in other industries as well. For example, a manufacturer may agree to share the cost savings achieved by a supplier who finds a way to reduce the cost of raw materials or production processes.
One of the benefits of shared savings agreements is that they incentivize collaboration between parties who may have different goals or objectives. By working together to achieve a common goal, the parties involved can often achieve greater success than they would on their own.
However, shared savings agreements also come with some risks. For example, if the incentives are not structured properly, they may lead to unintended consequences, such as providers withholding care or cutting corners to achieve cost savings.
Overall, shared savings agreements can be an effective way to encourage collaboration and reduce costs in a variety of industries. However, it is important to structure the incentives carefully to ensure that the agreement aligns with the goals of all parties involved and does not lead to unintended consequences.