<unk>  is the reimbursement of health care providers (such as hospitals and physicians) "on the basis of expected costs for defined episodes of care." It has been described as "a middle ground" between fee-for-service reimbursement (in which providers are paid for each service rendered to a patient) and capitation (in which providers are paid a "lump sum" per patient regardless of how many services the patient receives), given that risk is shared between payer and provider.<unk> s have been proposed in the health care reform debate in the United States as a strategy for reducing health care costs, especially during the Obama administration (2009–2016). Commercial payers have shown interest in<unk> s in order to reduce costs. In 2012, it was estimated that approximately one-third of the United States healthcare reimbursement used<unk>  methodology.
Bundled payment
Fee-for-service
Comstock laws
Prospective payment system
Pay for performance 
Flexible spending account
Professional courtesy
Prescription charges