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(This article originally appeared in the ):

TheÌýemergingÌýage of healthcare is a shift to payment reimbursements based on better value at an affordable cost, accountabilityÌýforÌýimproved patient outcomes, and patient-focused care instead of the volume of services provided.

As part of theÌýAffordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010,Ìýthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)Ìýis rolling outÌýnewÌýMedicareÌýpayment models based on theÌývalueÌýpatients receive fromÌýproviderÌýservices. TheÌýnewÌýmodels pay for performanceÌýthrough financialÌýincentivesÌýtied toÌýquality measures andÌýcost reduction.

While these programs have been rolling out over the last several years, HHS is stepping up the implementation. Last week, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced measurable goals and a timeline to transition Medicare, and the overall healthcare system, to paying providers based on performance.

The new goal isÌý30 percent ofÌý‘traditional, or fee-for-service, Medicare payments to quality or value through alternative payment models, such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) or bundledÌýpayment arrangements by the endÌýof 2016, and tying 50 percent of payments to these models by the end of 2018.’ÌýHHSÌýalsoÌýhas a goal ofÌýtying 85 percent of all traditional Medicare payments to quality or value by 2016;ÌýandÌýinÌý2018, thatÌýnumber jumps toÌý90 percent.

TechnologyÌýwill play a critical role in the success of these models.ÌýThe importance of healthcare providersÌýusing technology—including mobile applications—willÌýbe necessary as theÌýneedÌýforÌýinteroperable electronic health records—to share information among healthcare professionals—grows. The telemedicineÌýindustry has already set the stageÌýfor more accessible care. Remote patient monitoringÌýoffersÌýcontinuous assessmentÌýfrom aÌýconvenientÌýlocation.

The technology push was evident last monthÌýatÌýthe Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI)ÌýsymposiumÌýheld in Washington, D.C.Ìýas part of its Future of Home Health program.ÌýExperts discussedÌýhow technology will help the industry achieve seamless communication among federal, state, local agencies, and clinicians. The technology link was identified asÌýthe conduit for better care models,Ìýas well asÌýcost-savings and helping streamlineÌýtheÌýprocessÌýofÌýpatient claims, to name a few.

Esteemed speakers and panel members at the symposium, including Dr. Steven Landers, Chairman of the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation (AHHQI) and President & CEO of VNA Health Group;ÌýBrian Griffin, President and CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield;ÌýTracy Lustig, Senior Program Officer with the Institute of Medicine;ÌýBruce Leff, Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; and Sam Smith, Vice President of Business Development at СÖíÊÓƵ. They each discussed the Triple Aim of healthcare, the impediments to healthcare IT adoption for home care adoption and the challenges of the home healthcare industry and its future.

Nearly everyone agreed that the solutions to areas in home health that need support lie in technology. While technology is playing a critical role in the home health field, the Medicare home health benefit does not currently support these innovative approaches to care.

Some states, however, are starting to reimburse for telemedicineÌýunder Medicaid; but this is merely scratching the surface. The benefits of tech in home healthcare extend deep into the industry. Creating standardization in quality measures across the board,Ìýas well asÌýadvancing interoperability of electronic medical records and electronic health records,Ìýwill likely happen soon, butÌýthat is only the beginning ofÌýwhat technology can do.

The AHHQI is leadingÌýchangeÌýby organizing a research-based strategic planning project for the future of home healthcare in America. In the future, these types of efforts are imperative to aligning home healthcare’s growth with the changes occurring in the U.S. healthcare system.

The home healthcare sector continues to see substantial growth due to the need for lower-cost alternatives to hospitals and nursing homes for the care of the aging baby-boomer population. In many ways, the benefits of the home care model compliment the current reformsÌýbeing undertaken in the healthcare system and should lay the groundwork for improving the U.S. healthcare system for years to come.

At each step along the way, the home healthÌýmodelÌýhelps solveÌýchallengesÌýsuch as moving from disease states to functionality andÌýfromÌýfrailty toÌýmobility. With newer payment models, home health will play a key role in helpingÌýdetermine the level of care needed and who is at greatest risk for hospitalÌýre-admittance, ultimately reducing hospital readmissions.

But that is only the start.ÌýMobile technology, for example,Ìýwill pave the way for increased communication andÌýcollaboration withinÌýteams comprised of social workers, physicians, nurses, therapists and family/caregiversÌýtoÌýplan care with the patient’s goals in mind.ÌýEmerging technologyÌýand new payment modelsÌýare theÌýcornerstonesÌýof an elevated national healthcare system.