BCBS of MA begins physician analysis program

Working with an outside information technology vendor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has begun a program designed to identify patients whose care isn't meeting clinical guidelines. The vendor, MDdatacor, will analyze data from EMRs, transcribed office notes, lab results, and cross-reference that with the plan's pharmacy and claims data. BCBS plans to use the analysis as part of its pay-for-performance program. BCBS will begin by offering the tools to a subset of its physicians, and will test this approach with them for about one year. This approach makes sense--given that physicians could face big expenses in implementing P4P, why not help them get rolling?

To find out more about the BCBS program:
- read this United Press International piece
- read the MDdatacor release

Related Articles:
Dr. Michael Belman, medical director of Blue Cross of California, discusses the plan's pay for performance program. Interview
HMO pay for performance plans common. Report
PA insurer initiates P4P program. Article
Will P4P discourage doctors from treating sicker patients? Editorial