The Brazilian National Agency for private healthcare system (ANS) regulates the private healthcare system in Brazil. ANS, since 2019, has been running the pilot value-based new payment models project. In total, 13 projects were selected by ANS. This investigation aims to identify opportunities and challenges to implement value based healthcare (VBHC) in Brazil.

We interviewed managers participating in the ANS’ Value-Based Payment Models. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews during 2021. Twelve managers were invited to participate in the interview and eight accepted the invitation. The key questions were: “what are the main factors that facilitate – or limit - the transition from the fee for service model to a value-based model in the private healthcare system? And “will the payment models be scalable?” For data analysis, Bardin’s content analysis was chosen. Data validation was performed using the debriefings technique.

The interviews identified two key facilitating factors: people (identified by 50% of respondents) and processes (identified by 50% of respondents). Reponses relating to people nominated the need for professionals with VBHC knowledge (33%), support of senior management (25%), support from the provider (25%) and care team (17%). Reponses relating to processes nominated the need for partnership (58%), health-driven management (25%) and results (17%). We also identified that limiting factors (49%) were: providers (39%), in details: non-support from the provider, (56%), fear of financial loss (22%) and provider only wanting profit (22%); information system (30%), with data management; culture (17%), current versus innovative models; and peoples (13%), knowledge. More than 90 percent found it to be scalable, particularly, in vertical health plans (38%), large operators (38%); and provide diagnostic services (13%). We found that non-scalable situations are those where fee for service is hegemonic in terms of payments.

Our study found that knowledge and culture management positively impacts the projects. Service providers can be limiting when they are exclusively focused on economic perspectives. The new payment model is considered scalable.