D.C. Area Insurer to Reward Physicians for Cost Reduction

Tags: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield | costs | medical home | physician incentives | quality

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, which serves some 3.2 million people in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, plans to launch a program Jan. 1, 2011, that would reward physicians with bonuses for decreasing patients' healthcare expenses and improving quality, according to a report by the Washington Business Journal.

Under the program, participating physicians would automatically receive a double-digit reimbursement increase from the insurer. They would also receive $200 more than they now do for routine and follow-up patient visits, in addition to up to 80-percent more on top of negotiated reimbursement rates for providing quality care and reducing medical costs.

CareFirst hopes to recruit practices with between five and 20 physicians willing to treat a wide variety of patients. The Maryland Health Care Commission must approve the primary-care medical home pilot before it can go into effect.

Read the Washington Business Journal report on CareFirst's physician incentives.

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