AACIPM is pleased to share that the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and the Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery have released the second of four case studies emanating from their 2020-21 Roundtable on Integrated Pain Management. Their second case study features the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Comprehensive Pain Program (CPP), which was established in 2017 to improve treatment options for patients struggling with opioid use for musculoskeletal pain conditions. The program developed a customized intensive outpatient program that includes an array of integrative therapies to optimize patients’ function and maximize their well-being, supported by a unique bundled payment arrangement developed in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. The case study details the program’s novel bundled payment arrangement, highlights the program’s history and implementation, and describes key factors that have contributed to the program’s success. Duke will be releasing the remaining two case studies in the coming months.

Duke’s in-person Roundtable that spurred the creation of this series of case studies took place in February 2020 and included participation from numerous AACIPM leaders and experts. Further background on this Roundtable can be found on Duke’s website and AACIPM’s website, including reflections from AACIPM’s Advisory Committee member, Adam Seidner, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, The Hartford.