Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network, value-based payment models, and our ongoing initiatives.

About HCPLAN

What is the Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network (HCPLAN)?

The HCPLAN is a collaborative network of public and private health care leaders working to accelerate the transition to value-based payment models and accountable care. The HCPLAN convenes stakeholders across the health care ecosystem, including payers, providers, purchasers, policymakers, patients, advocates, and researchers, to share insights and advance payment approaches that improve quality, affordability, and health outcomes.

What is the HCPLAN’s mission?

The HCPLAN works to advance a health care system that delivers high-quality care, a better patient experience, and improved health outcomes at a lower cost by increasing the adoption of value-based payment models.

What is the HCPLAN Executive Forum?

The HCPLAN Executive Forum (EF) is a leadership body composed of senior health care executives from across the public and private sectors who provide strategic guidance for the HCPLAN’s priorities and Initiatives. The EF helps shape the HCPLAN’s direction by identifying opportunities to accelerate value-based payment adoption and strengthen collaboration and innovation across the health care system. 

Value-Based Payment & APM Framework

What is value-based payment?

Value-based payment refers to payment models that reward providers for delivering high-quality, efficient care rather than paying primarily for the volume of services delivered. These models often link payment to patient outcomes, care coordination, and cost management, helping improve quality while controlling health care spending.

What is accountable care?

Accountable care is centered on the patient and aligns their care team to support shared decision-making and to realize the highest achievable health outcomes for all through comprehensive, high-quality, affordable, longitudinal care. The HCPLAN developed the Accountable Care Curve as a resource to help stakeholders drive the adoption of accountable care through a four step framework: learning, investing, aligning, and transforming.

What are alternative payment models?

Alternative payment models (APMs) are payment approaches designed to move beyond traditional fee-for-service reimbursement. APMs encourage providers to deliver high-quality, coordinated, and cost-effective care by linking payment to performance, outcomes, or overall total cost of care.

What is the HCPLAN APM Framework?

The HCPLAN APM Framework established a common vocabulary that categorizes health care payment models based on how closely they are tied to quality and value. The framework helps stakeholders track progress toward value-based payment adoption across the health care system.

HCPLAN Priority Initiatives

How did the HCPLAN determine its current priority initiatives?

These initiatives were designed to build on the prior work of the HCPLAN and in alignment with CMS Innovation Center’s Strategic Direction as well as emerging trends across the health care industry, ensuring the HCPLAN remains a leading, trusted voice in the health care ecosystem.

Each workgroup is championed by leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who are committed to advancing the adoption of APMs and driving value in the health care system. To drive the initiatives forward, the HCPLAN created four workgroups: Choice and Competition, Patient EmpowermentEvidence-Based Prevention, and Technology-Enabled Health Care.

How do the HCPLAN workgroups operate?

The HCPLAN workgroups were established as the vehicle to advance the priority initiatives by convening stakeholders from across the health care system to share expertise, discuss emerging challenges, and identify actionable solutions that accelerate adoption of value-based payment models. These collaborations help inform policy, industry best practices, and future HCPLAN priorities.

Measurement & Data

What are the HCPLAN’s goals for value-based payment adoption?

The HCPLAN has established goals to increase the share of U.S. health care payments tied to value-based models, particularly those that include downside financial risk, to support a more sustainable and patient-centered health care system.

What happened to the APM Measurement Effort?

In 2025, HCPLAN handed off the APM Measurement effort to AHIP and BCBSA. Find the latest results here.

HCPLAN Participation & Resources

How can I get involved with the HCPLAN?

Interested individuals and organizations can sign up for the HCPLAN email listserv and follow us on LinkedIn and X. If you are working on any of the current initiatives areas, the HCPLAN would love to hear from you. You can get in touch here.

What resources does the HCPLAN provide?

The HCPLAN offers 2021-2025 measurement reports, frameworks, tools, and collaborative learning opportunities that help stakeholders understand trends, share best practices, and advance payment innovation. Check out all of these and more in our Resource Library and our Events page.