Kevin B. Sears, MHA
About the Author
Kevin B. Sears, MHA
Latest Work
Transitioning health systems to accepting more risk: Key steps to ensuring financial sustainability
The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed many health systems’ interest in pursuing population health initiatives. Yet success with such initiatives will remain elusive if they do not address two common barriers to success: lack of aligned incentives and insufficient infrastructure.
How to develop a winning pricing strategy in the post-COVID-19 consumer market
Providers and health plans should prepare for federally imposed price transparency mandates imposed by developing comprehensive pricing strategies tailored to their specific market positions, financials and operational objectives.
How to achieve best-in-class capability for value-based risk contracting
Health systems embarking on value-based contracting should give attention to three areas: understanding market profit pools, acknowledging inherent challenges in the health plan market, and developing the key elements that are essential for success.
Cautionary tales: Why some payer-provider initiatives have stumbled
Health system leaders that are considering launching a provider-sponsored health plan can take a lesson from the experiences of organizations that faced challenges in pursuing such a strategy.
Payer-provider partnership success stories
Partnering with a health plan has been shown to be an effective strategy for health systems undertaking a value-based payment strategy.
A tailored approach to value-based care product development
To be successful, a value-based-payment initiative must be tailored to the provider organization's market and capabilities.
How healthcare providers can conduct a consumer-focused pricing strategy
The growth of consumerism in healthcare has made it imperative for healthcare providers to develop a pricing strategy that can help them achieve a competitive advantage among consumers in their markets.
Evolution of the consumer focus in healthcare
The potential benefits of consumer-driven health plans were espoused in the 1990s, and the concept began to be more fully embraced in the past decade.
7 top macro trends impacting providers, insurers and healthcare consumers today
The healthcare industry's shift to a consumerism focus is occurring in parallel with seven significant emerging trends that are affecting providers, insurers and healthcare consumers alike.
Assembling the essentials for successful population health management
A high-performing clinical network, and a focus on patients presenting high or emerging risk are two key elements that health systems must have in place to be able to succeed with population health management.