How does patient cost-sharing relate to delivery models and value?

• A. Higher cost-sharing can deter unnecessary services; delivery models aim to align cost-sharing with value.
• B. Cost-sharing has no relation to value.
• C. Cost-sharing always increases utilization.
• D. Delivery models increase cost-sharing regardless of value.

Answer: (A)

Cost-sharing acts as a behavioral lever in a value-driven delivery system. When delivery models focus on value, they design how patients pay so that high-value care is more accessible and low-value, unnecessary care is discouraged. Higher out-of-pocket costs can deter use of services that don’t provide meaningful benefit, while reductions or waivers for proven, valuable care make those services more likely to be used. In this way, patient payments are aligned with the value of care, helping to improve outcomes while containing wasteful spending.