Summary
As hospitals and health systems navigate the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, leaders face a pressing question: how do you move beyond compliance checkboxes and build real frameworks for transformation?
On this episode of Perspectives with Pinnacle, John P. Carter is joined by Pinnacle Partner Anthony Long and Jim Burke from Hall Render Advisory Services to unpack the opportunities of using, and an implementation roadmap for, Value-Based Enterprises (VBEs). Together, they explore how VBEs can be more than just another Stark exception or AKS Safe Harbor, serving instead as a strategic tool for physician alignment, care redesign, and long-term sustainability.
From governance structures and outcome metrics to the challenges of implementation, this conversation offers a roadmap for hospitals and health systems seeking to innovate while staying compliant.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
- Strategy vs. Tactics in VBE Design
While some organizations use VBEs to solve immediate compliance concerns, the most successful health systems are leveraging them as enterprise-wide strategies that engage physicians, elevate governance, and drive care delivery innovation. - Physician Engagement as the Catalyst
True transformation begins by involving physicians early—not just as participants, but as co-creators of the care model. This shifts the dynamic from physicians being “on the menu” to having a genuine seat at the table. - Governance and Accountability Matter
The strength of a VBE lies in its accountable body. Success requires the right mix of operators, executives, physicians and clinicians working together, supported by ongoing communication and a culture of transparency. - Metrics That Measure What Matters
VBEs allow systems to move away from time-based inputs to outcome-driven outputs. This opens the door to innovative metrics that link payment to process improvements, patient outcomes, and true cost savings. - Preparing for TEAM and Beyond
With the TEAM model set to go live in January 2026, VBEs provide a natural framework for hospitals to align strategy with mandatory participation. Positioning them not just for compliance, but for long-term competitive advantage.
Ultimately, the episode underscores how VBEs can serve as a bridge between regulatory flexibility and real-world change, enabling health systems to innovate responsibly while building stronger physician partnerships.
Want to go deeper?
Our podcast only scratches the surface of how Value-Based Enterprises (VBEs) can transform physician alignment and prepare hospitals for CMS’s TEAM model. For a full breakdown of why VBEs are the operating model hospitals need for tomorrow’s care and the practical steps to get started, read our latest thought leadership paper here.
What You’ll Learn
00:20 — Strategy vs. Tactic: Elevating Healthcare Models
09:45 — The Role of Physician Engagement in VBEs
21:30 — Building Effective Governance and Collaboration
34:50 — Metrics and Outcomes That Matter
47:15 — Using VBEs to Prepare for TEAM
49:55 — Payment Mechanisms and Performance Metrics
1:03:00 — Lessons Learned and Final Takeaways
Ready to explore how VBEs can strengthen your organization’s alignment strategy?
Connect with our experts today: https://askphc.com/services/strategy-operations-cost-reduction/
