The missing link: structured dialogue between the payer and provider communities on the costs and benefits of medical rehabilitation.

Abstract

The costs of medical rehabilitation for catastrophically injured people are significant. To be competitive in the market-place, third-party payers must provide high quality care to their insured populations while guarding against paying for unnecessary or ineffective services. The provider community, meanwhile, has developed new, lower-cost treatment programs for their patient populations. The proper use of all treatment options relative to acuity and complexity of patient disability and handicap is being measured and evaluated now. This article proposes the establishment of Rehabilitation Research Application Forums that would have the purpose of fostering dialogue regarding rehabilitation outcome research and its policy implications for the payer community. It also proposes the routine publication in industry journals of rehabilitation outcomes articles, accompanied by commentary written by individuals who are appointees to the Forum. The purpose would be more rapid and appropriate application of rehabilitation outcomes research.