Quality Metrics & Performance

Quality measurement and administrative burden are converging as near-term VBC flashpoints: Premier is pressing CMS on CY 2027 physician payment and value-based care proposals to strengthen accountable care participation, streamline reporting, improve interoperability, and preserve accountability for outcomes—signals that ACOs and physician groups want quality policy redesigned around operational feasibility, not just measure expansion (Premier comments). At the same time, UnitedHealthcare’s plan to eliminate prior authorization for 1,700 codes raises payer-provider stakes around whether utilization management relief can reduce friction without weakening cost and quality controls, while CMS scrutiny of skilled nursing facility quality keeps post-acute performance measurement central to Medicare risk, ACO benchmarking, and network strategy (UHC prior authorization changes).