Alignment of state health agencies with large, private employers and/or commercial health plans  is essential in realigning efforts and resources and changing how we pay for healthcare, with the central goal of  shifting from volume-based payment models to value-based ones  to improve quality and control costs.

As this HealthAffairs blog notes:”Alignment allows both state and commercial payers to send clear messages to providers about the expectations they have in moving to a more value-based healthcare payment and delivery system. This gives providers direction when it comes to deciding what to target and invest in to improve the care they offer. It also can help streamline quality measures and reduce providers’ administrative burden.”

Here are  lessons from some states on best practices in public-private alignment.