How States Are Using Cost Growth Benchmark Programs to Contain Health Care Costs

A cost growth benchmark is a cost containment strategy that limits the annual growth of a state’s healthcare expenditures. Massachusetts established the first program in 2012, and a growing number of states are now using the strategy to contain costs for patients, providers and payers. Recently, states have also included efforts to improve quality of care and outcomes in the program, and contain the total cost of care in non-hospital settings. This table provides an overview of programs across the country.