Final report : evaluation of tools and metrics to support employer selection of health plans / Soeren Mattke, Kristin R. Van Busum, Grant Martsolf ; sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (RAND, viewed November 4, 2014).

Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction -- Technical approach -- Conceptual framework -- Provider-facing structural characteristics of health plans -- Member-facing structural characteristics of health plans -- Process measures -- Outcomes measures -- State of practice in employer decisionmaking about health plans -- conclusions -- Appendix A: Description of summary of benefits and coverage and glossary of terms -- Appendix B: Description of search strategies and tools -- Appendix C: Descriptions of quality measurement and reporting organizations -- Appendix D: Descriptions of quality measurement and reporting organizations.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) places strong emphasis on quality of care as a means to improve outcomes for Americans and promote the financial sustainability of our health care system. Included in the ACA are new disclosure requirements that require health plans to provide a summary of benefits and coverage that accurately describes the benefits under the plan or coverage. These requirements are intended to support employers' procurement of high-value health coverage for their employees. This report attempts to help employers understand the structural differences between health plans and the performance dimensions along which plans can differ, as well as to educate employers about available tools that can be used to evaluate plan options. The report also discusses the extent to which these and other tools or resources are used by employers to inform choices between health plans.

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