More than 400 physicians from 35 Boston-area medical groups will share $800,000 in pay-for-performance awards funded by local employers participating in a national Bridges to Excellence program. Awards were given under the Physician Office Link program, one of three initiatives between Bridges to Excellence and the National Center for Quality Assurance. Medical groups receiving the payments demonstrated that they monitor patients' medical histories; work with patients over time, not just during office visits; follow up with patients and their providers; manage populations, not just individuals; use evidence-based care; avoid medical errors; and encourage better health habits and self-management of medical conditions.
This was the first major round of awards under the Physician Office Link program. The money came from Boston-area employers General Electric Co., Ford Motor Co. Proctor & Gamble Co., Raytheon Co., Verizon Communications and United Parcel Service. Rewards were based on the number of employees that medical groups treated. -- by Joseph Conn