Business
Massachusetts Blues plan signs fourth medical group to capitated contract
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 6, 2009
Signature Healthcare has become the fourth large physician group to sign on to a new capitated reimbursement contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The new contract will affect 130 physicians in 22 locations, including Signature's Brockton Hospital.
The Blues' Alternative Quality Contract is a five-year arrangement that sets pay at a per-member rate rather than fee-for-service reimbursement and allows for bonus pay tied to quality measures. The contract was pitched as an improvement on the traditional form of capitation, which has fallen out of favor in much of the country.
Physicians at Mount Auburn Hospital, Hampden County Physician Associates and Tufts Medical Center also have signed on to the contract, which was introduced in February 2008.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/04/06/bibf0406.htm.
