Early disclosure and compensation programs

In recent years, early disclosure and compensation (EDC) programs have received increasing attention as an innovative option that health systems might use to address adverse events and the risk management concerns that result from them. Several of the health systems that are implementing such programs have reported positive results. Recent federal funding will facilitate the implementation of new EDC programs and the expansion of ongoing ones in several states. These expanded efforts will help to answer some of the key questions about EDC programs, including: whether they will increase the frequency of liability claims; whether they can succeed in states without traditional liability reforms; whether they can be expanded outside of large integrated health system settings; and whether they will be sustainable when the liability climate worsens in a state.