121 - Alternative Payment Mechanisms in Value-Based Care: A National Survey’s Results

Objectives: To examine the knowledge and attitudes among DentaQuest-enrolled providers, regarding Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) in a Value-Based Care (VBC) delivery model.

Methods: Questions related to VBC and APM from a survey of DentaQuest-enrolled providers conducted between March to April of 2021 were analyzed. Responses were stratified by age, race, practice location, type, and specialty using descriptive and inferential analysis: Pearson’s Chi-Square and Fischer’s exact test. Analyses were performed using Stata 16.0, using a P-value of < .05 to be statistically significant.

Results: The sample consisted of 378 dentists, 57% were female, 66% worked in private practice, 72% were general dentists and 17% were pediatric dentists. Providers practicing in public health settings were more likely to be utilizing VBC strategies and be more familiar with APMs compared to those in private practice, P< .018 and P< .003, respectively. Dentists practicing in rural areas were less interested in reimbursement using APMs (P < .008) than those working in urban areas. Providers who have been in practice the longest were less interested in risk-shared agreements (P < .049), while those practicing in urban locations were more likely to consider partial (P < .001) and full capitation (P < .014). Hispanic dentists and those practicing in public health settings were more likely to consider that VBC arrangements would lead to more equitable outcomes, P< .025 and P< .015, respectively.

Conclusions: While some providers understand and utilize APM, in general terms, there is a lack of knowledge regarding both, VBC and APM.

Keywords: Value-based care, alternative payment models, dental workforce, healthcare system, attitudes, knowledge, perceptions.