Consider the risk Medtronic is undertaking with its Tyrx device, an absorbable antibacterial mesh sleeve that is wrapped around a cardiac device before it is implanted in a patient. People receiving implantable devices are at high risk for infection, and Medtronic is guaranteeing that Tyrx will lower the infection rate compared with competing cardiac devices without the resorbable sleeve. If it doesn't lower the risk of infection as promised, Medtronic is on the hook to cover the costs of treating the patient's infection. Medtronic CEO Omar Ishrak has called this calculated risk-taking key to the success of an accountable healthcare system.

St. Jude Medical and Johnson & Johnson are a couple of the other companies that have revealed they are also engaged in risk-sharing.