Overview of States’ Health Care Cost-Growth Benchmark Programs

A cost-growth benchmark program is a cost-containment strategy that limits how much a state’s health care spending can grow each year. 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 care quality and outcomes in the program, and contain the total cost of care in non-hospital settings. This chart provides a snapshot of programs across the country.