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Published on: Nov 06, 2021
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

What Is Value-based Care?

Value-based care is a payment system that incentivizes quality and cost outcomes, rather than merely rewarding procedures or volume of care. Value-based care emphasizes patient health outcomes over speed and quantity of services, with incentives to improve both the value and the economics of healthcare delivery.

Value-Based Care (VBC) is an American healthcare payment model in which hospitals, doctors, and other providers are paid based on patient care quality metrics. Value-based care has five core components to create successful systems that serve patients better at a lower cost. First, it includes increasing accessibility of information about the costs and quality of treatment options through an easy-to-navigate "medical marketplace." Second, providers are reimbursed for wellness work critical for detecting disease earlier in its course when treatment often works best -- so long as they accept shared accountability in achieving outcomes. Value-based care shifts incentives on payment from volume to value. Value is the metric on which you are graded, not volume.

Value-based care is "an approach to health care that emphasizes measurable outcomes, coordinated care, and shared accountability." The idea is that the cost of healthcare should reflect the value it provides.

Value-based care includes incentivizing patients via alternative payment models (APMs) to influence behaviors that lead to patient outcomes. The incentives are not provided directly for the desired behavior but instead are designed to promote the best possible outcomes, which then drives financial savings for all parties involved.

Value-based care or “shared risk” arrangements between healthcare providers have been shown to be much more cost-effective than traditional fee-for-service approaches because they shift some of the financial risks onto providers and away from consumers. Many providers are now seeing value in adopting these new contracts as many stakeholders prefer its approach of shared responsibility for addressing higher costs before passing on the burden along with a downline supplier chain. Value-based care is a method that fuses health care with economics to optimize measurable clinical and economic outcomes while supporting the patient's goals.

Value-based healthcare generates increased value while decreasing costs, an updated approach using a broader set of quality and cost metrics to manage health care decisions. Physicians are compensated not just for providing or ordering a service, but rather on providing improved health outcomes.

Value-based care is the new science behind healthcare. It's about measuring outcomes, not procedures. And it's more than just following guidelines or cutting costs-it means substantially improving quality and lowering cost for about 30% of the population who are both out of control on cost, and “out of care” because they're high risk (the disabled, sick young adults). VBC requires systematic redefinition of patients' goals for care; broader use of cheaper treatments; using results to do what has never been done before--measurement; looking at four major objectives; reducing cost without reducing quality (e.g., by prevention); streamlining delivery through primary rather than specialized providers; making prevention one objective.

Value-Based Care is a strategy that incentivizes healthcare providers to provide the best care possible while reducing unnecessary and costly treatments. Under traditional fee-for-service models, providers get paid for each test they perform and every procedure they perform -- so their incentives are not focused on delivering the most appropriate treatment at the right time. Under value-based care, providers get paid if their patients' health improves - no matter whether hospitals, doctors' offices, or other settings where patients receive care.

Value-Based Care has been proven to reduce readmissions and eliminate unnecessary hospitalizations by 15%. It also reduces costs by 20?cause it's all about targeting what really matters -- service delivery with measurable outcomes for consumers of healthcare services.

Value-based care is a model of healthcare payment in which a clinician does not get paid for the number or type of procedures performed, but rather based on how well they manage a patients' disease. The goal is to incentivize excellent, high-value care by rewarding quality and eliminating insurers' financial incentives to encourage overtesting and overtreatment.

Value-based care is a new term that can be seen as a version of population health management. Value-based care aims to align the incentives of providers and payers with those who bear the most cost from healthcare, which traditionally have been patients. In other words, value-based care is designed for high-level profit by encouraging preventive practices and sharing resources with community members. The goal is to make a profit off a healthy person rather than unhealthy people seeking treatment for medical emergencies.

It's very much related to prevention and seeks not to reward investments in unnecessary treatments but instead reward solid preventative health practices like diet, exercise, etc.

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Numbness in Hands and Feet: Common Causes, Warning Signs and When to Act

Numbness in the hands and feet is a symptom many people experience at some point, often after sitting or sleeping in an awkward position. While temporary numbness is usually harmless, persistent or recurring symptoms can indicate underlying health issues. Understanding numbness in hands and feet is important because it often reflects nerve, nutritional or circulation problems that require timely attention.

In India, rising rates of diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and sedentary lifestyles have made numbness a frequently reported symptom across age groups.

What Is Numbness?

Numbness refers to reduced or lost sensation in a part of the body.

It may feel like:

tingling or pins and needles
burning or crawling sensation
reduced touch sensitivity
weakness or heaviness

These sensations are medically referred to as paresthesia.

Why Hands and Feet Are Commonly Affected

Hands and feet contain:

long peripheral nerves
smaller blood vessels

These structures are more vulnerable to damage from:

metabolic disorders
nutritional deficiencies
compression or injury

This makes distal body parts the first to show symptoms.

Common Causes of Numbness in Hands and Feet

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord.

It causes:

numbness
tingling
burning pain

Diabetes is the most common cause in India, as noted by ICMR studies.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve health.

Deficiency leads to:

numbness and tingling
balance issues
fatigue

NFHS-5 data shows widespread vitamin B12 deficiency among Indian adults.

Diabetes and Blood Sugar Imbalance

High blood sugar damages nerve fibers over time.

Diabetic neuropathy often starts in:

toes
soles
fingers

Early detection prevents progression.

Poor Blood Circulation

Reduced blood flow deprives nerves of oxygen.

This may be caused by:

peripheral artery disease
smoking
high cholesterol

Circulatory numbness often worsens in cold conditions.

Nerve Compression and Posture Issues

Prolonged pressure on nerves can cause numbness.

Examples include:

carpal tunnel syndrome
cervical spine problems
prolonged sitting with crossed legs

Posture correction often improves symptoms.

Spinal Disorders

Conditions affecting the spine can compress nerves.

These include:

slipped disc
cervical spondylosis
spinal stenosis

Symptoms may radiate to hands or feet.

Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Some autoimmune diseases attack nerves.

Examples include:

rheumatoid arthritis-related neuropathy
lupus

Early diagnosis is important to prevent nerve damage.

Infections and Systemic Diseases

Certain infections and systemic illnesses may cause nerve symptoms.

These include:

tuberculosis
thyroid disorders
chronic kidney disease

ICMR reports note neuropathy as a secondary symptom in many chronic illnesses.

Temporary vs Persistent Numbness

Temporary numbness:

resolves within minutes
often due to pressure or posture

Persistent numbness:

lasts weeks or months
indicates underlying pathology

Duration is an important diagnostic clue.

Warning Signs That Should Not Be Ignored

Seek medical evaluation if numbness:

is persistent or worsening
affects both sides symmetrically
is associated with weakness
interferes with walking or grip
is accompanied by pain or balance issues

These signs suggest nerve damage.

How Numbness Is Diagnosed

Evaluation may include:

detailed medical history
neurological examination
blood tests for deficiencies
blood sugar testing
nerve conduction studies
imaging when required

Diagnosis focuses on identifying treatable causes.

Impact on Daily Life

Chronic numbness can affect:

fine motor skills
balance and coordination
work performance
sleep quality

Untreated symptoms increase injury and fall risk.

Treatment Depends on the Cause

Treatment is tailored to the underlying condition.

Examples include:

vitamin supplementation
blood sugar control
physical therapy
posture correction
medications for nerve pain

Early treatment improves outcomes.

Role of Nutrition in Nerve Health

Adequate intake of:

vitamin B12
vitamin B6
folate
iron

supports nerve repair and function.

Balanced diets reduce neuropathy risk.

Lifestyle Measures to Reduce Numbness

Helpful habits include:

regular physical activity
avoiding prolonged pressure on limbs
quitting smoking
maintaining healthy blood sugar

Lifestyle changes support nerve recovery.

Importance of Preventive Health Checkups

Routine screening helps detect:

diabetes
vitamin deficiencies
thyroid disorders

Early detection prevents permanent nerve damage.

When to Consult a Doctor

Medical advice is essential when numbness:

persists beyond a few days
worsens over time
affects daily activities

Delaying evaluation increases risk of irreversible damage.

Conclusion

Numbness in hands and feet is more than a minor inconvenience when it becomes frequent or persistent. It often signals nerve damage, vitamin deficiency, diabetes or circulation problems that require attention. Early identification of the cause, timely treatment and lifestyle modification can prevent progression and restore sensation. Paying attention to these warning signs is a critical step toward protecting long-term nerve health and overall wellbeing.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Neuropathy and Diabetes Studies
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Nutrition and Vitamin Deficiency Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Neurological Disorders and Nerve Health
Lancet – Peripheral Neuropathy and Metabolic Disease Research
NITI Aayog – Non-Communicable Disease and Preventive Care Reports
Statista – Neuropathy and Chronic Disease Trends

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