Providing affordable health care remains a critical issue for families, employers, insurers, and public programs. AIR’s research and evaluation analyze trends in cost, coverage, and access to care, including in-depth analysis of geographic variations. We evaluate innovative reimbursement methods and payment system redesign, focusing on key quality, cost, and health outcomes. Our findings are translated into implications for consumers, providers, policymakers, and purchasers.

We provide technical assistance for government, providers, and community organizations that ensures the successful implementation of innovative payment systems and programs. Innovative research and technical assistance projects, such as our enrollee satisfaction surveys for Health Insurance Exchanges for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, our evaluation of the Maryland Quality-Based Reimbursement Initiative, or our creation of an “Innovations Scorekeeper” for the Blue Shield of California Foundation guide payers, insurers, employers, and health care systems toward payment reforms that increase access to care for all, especially the newly insured and disadvantaged.