Pitney Bowes: The VBID Pioneer
Pitney Bowes was one of the first employers to implement VBID, reducing cost-sharing for diabetes and hypertension medications to $0 in 2001. The results were compelling: medication adherence increased by 15–20%, hospitalizations decreased by 20%, and total cost of care decreased despite the lower cost-sharing. The Pitney Bowes program became the model for employer VBID implementations.
COE Programs: The Evidence
Multiple large employers have implemented COE programs for joint replacement, cardiac surgery, and cancer treatment. Walmart's COE program for spine, cardiac, and joint replacement surgery found that 30% of recommended surgeries were unnecessary when evaluated by COE physicians. The program saved Walmart an estimated $2,500 per surgery while improving outcomes.
Building Your VBID Evidence Base
IQ Insight
The most successful VBID programs are built on your own claims data, not just published research. Your workforce has specific health risks, utilization patterns, and cost drivers that may differ from the published studies. Use your claims data to identify the specific interventions that will deliver the most value for your plan — and measure the outcomes rigorously to build your own evidence base.