Business
Study details P4P jump
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 17, 2007
The number of pay-for-performance programs in the nation has grown significantly since 2003, according to a survey conducted jointly by Med-Vantage and The Leapfrog Group.
The P4P and Consumer Incentive Survey, conducted among 75 purchasers, government agencies and health plans, found that the number of P4P programs grew from 39 in 2003 to approximately 148 by March 2007. There were 84 programs in 2004 and 107 in 2005.
The survey also found the No. 1 reason for implementing P4P programs was to improve clinical outcomes. More than 60% of survey respondents have evaluated their programs, and half reported that clinical performance improved significantly. About one-third were able to demonstrate cost savings.
More than 70% of respondents said they are working to expand the number of performance measures they use.
Delegates at the AMA's Annual Meeting in June approved a report that recommended giving the Association the authority to "actively oppose" any incentive program that fails to meet AMA principles on pay-for-performance: ensure quality of care; foster the patient/physician relationship; offer voluntary physician participation; use accurate data and fair reporting; and provide fair and equitable program incentives.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/09/17/bibf0917.htm.
