Big data to improve costs and outcomes in healthcare systems

"Value-based care is an emerging healthcare model that aims to improve the quality of care while controlling costs and driving better near- and long-term health outcomes for individuals. While traditional health systems have paid for volume based on a fee-for-service model, value-based care models use payment incentives that aim to advance quality outcomes at lower cost. This payment model requires that providers, payers and other stakeholders have evidence — data and insight — to document how specific elements of care contribute to achieving a target health outcome for a given cost."

"Watson Health offerings will be optimized to help clients succeed in this environment by helping them achieve better patient outcomes at reduced cost through advanced analytics and actionable insights.

Truven Health Analytics is IBM’s fourth major health-related acquisition since launching its Watson Health unit in April 2015, following Phytel (population health), Explorys (cloud-based healthcare intelligence) and Merge Healthcare (medical imaging). In that time, Watson Health also has quickly compiled a marquee roster of partners and clients, including Apple, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Novo Nordisk, and CVS Health."