| Massachusetts Physicians Receive $27 Million In Incentive Awards
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) has
awarded $27 million to in-network physicians for delivering safe,
effective and efficient healthcare services.
The payments were the centerpiece of the insurer’s
2007 Primary Care Physician Incentive Program (PCP Incentive Program).
Additionally, 636 physicians ranking in the top 10 percent of the
program were awarded Certificates of Excellence.
Launched in 2000, the PCP Incentive Program has awarded
$164 million in payments (above regular fee-for-service payments) to
participating physicians.
Practitioners were measured on the basis of:
- generic prescription utilization;
- appropriate control of elevated cholesterol levels;
- diabetes care;
- electronic technologies adoption (i.e., the
implementation of an e-prescribing system, electronic medical records,
or quality outcomes of reporting tied to cholesterol/diabetes
management and hypertension); and
- completion of cultural competency training.
Pediatricians were measured on the basis of:
- body mass index (BMI) screenings,
- ADHD medication management,
- electronic technologies adoption (i.e., the
implementation of an e-prescribing system, electronic medical records,
or quality outcomes reporting tied BMI), and
- completion of cultural competency training.
"The PCP Incentive Program is consistent with our work
to transform the healthcare system to address the underuse, overuse or
misuse of healthcare services and to reward for the quality and outcome
of care which our members receive," said Dr. John Fallon, chief
physician executive at BCBSMA.
BCBSMA is in the process of making enhancements to the
PCP Incentive Program which will enable participating physicians to
earn even more under the program beginning in 2010.
For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, visit www.bluecrossma.com
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