OSU hopes health plan will save cash, improve care

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State University officials are hoping a change in the school's health insurance plan will both save money and improve care.

The university plans to begin a pilot project that will alter payments for certain care provided at its medical center and by its doctors.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the idea is to reward health providers for the value instead of the volume of their care.

The university new health plan executive says the future of health care is about preventive care and self-care.

Ohio State's health plan had medical and pharmacy costs of $267 million last year for the 57,000 people it covers.