Can a center for comparative effectiveness information succeed? Perspectives from a health care company.

Comparative information about different approaches to treating a disease or condition plays a critical role in the success of any competitive, market-based health care system in achieving quality and value. To ensure that effectiveness studies will be used to stimulate development of important advances in care and not lead to limits in coverage and treatment options, a comparative effectiveness center needs to demonstrate independence from payers; operate with transparent processes; and coordinate, not duplicate, the requirements of the relevant federal agencies. A fully independent, quasi-governmental center is most likely to produce credible, broadly acceptable findings.