| For many of us change is a difficult process. In | | | | tested and seems to be doing quite well. In |
| organizations like healthcare it seems to advance | | | | several states Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations |
| at a snail's pace sometimes. There is a need for | | | | are testing pay-for- performance programs. Here |
| change in healthcare, most agree, though we | | | | in West Michigan, Priority Health, a healthcare |
| would be hard pressed to agree upon the | | | | insurer, has promoted such a program for over |
| changes needed. One incentive for change is | | | | five years. How does this work, you may ask? |
| pay-for-performance programs now beginning in | | | | Priority Health, for example, funds the program |
| several areas. I would like to describe a couple | | | | for each of its patients a set amount. Doctors |
| that affect primary care physicians and then give | | | | who meet a requirement of the program for a |
| a few suggestions as to how to adopt changes | | | | patient are rewarded with extra money for that |
| to take advantage of these programs. Even if | | | | patient. Hence, with many patients the income for |
| you are not in a primary care physician program, | | | | the practice can be boosted considerably. The |
| the methods suggested for change will be helpful, | | | | fact is that many are not rising to the |
| I believe. | | | | opportunity. With planned cuts in Medicare |
| In 2006 Medicare plans to institute a | | | | reimbursements over the next few years, this |
| pay-for-performance program at the primary | | | | source of income cannot be ignored! Healthcare |
| care physician level. Right now a model is being | | | | programs need to change, no matter how difficult. |