NEWTOWN, CT - June 24, 2009 - Bridges to Excellence (BTE), the nation's most extensive effort to recognize and reward high-performing physicians, announced five new programs to assess the improvement in the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease and hypertension. The new programs cover the majority of the health care costs in the system today and the bulk of patients providers are seeing.
"Our work has shown that there are significant avoidable costs associated with the management of these conditions," said Francois de Brantes, BTE CEO. "By reducing preventable complications incurred by most patients with these chronic conditions, we could significantly improve the health of employees and save employers billions of dollars."
The BTE programs are designed to provide incentives that reward physicians and practices for adopting better systems of care that result in physician practice reengineering, the adoption of health information technology and delivering good outcomes to patients. Doctors who demonstrate excellent performance can earn recognition and also qualify for incentives from participating employers and health plans.
New Care Link Programs
- Asthma Care Link
- Congestive Heart Failure Care Link
- COPD Care Link
- Coronary Artery Disease Care Link
- Hypertension Care Link
"Our emphasis to-date has been on encouraging the adoption of systems of care - including EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) - as well as demonstrating the use of those systems in delivering good results in patient management," said de Brantes. "It's time to switch the emphasis almost exclusively on the results of patient management and these new programs, combined with our existing focus in diabetes, ischemic vascular disease, back pain and depression, provide employers and their health plans with a complete portfolio to power up pay for performance efforts."
New data portal through IPRO
BTE also announced today that it will utilize IPRO's Clinical Data Portal to accept chart data directly or via an electronic medical record system and score data against clinical measures. The portal will provide secure access to results, allow users to review and track performance and participate in incentive programs.
IPRO, one of the nation's largest independent, not-for-profit health care consulting organizations, is responsible for evaluating the performance of physicians and practices in BTE regions and recognizing those who demonstrate they provide high quality care in their communities. BTE's Automated Performance Assessment System was launched late last year to reduce the financial and process burdens of physician quality assessment. BTE's third party performance assessment organizations also include NCQA and Minnesota Community Measurement.
For more information on Bridges to Excellence or to find out how to participate as an employer or a physician, visit www.bridgestoexcellence.org.
About Bridges to Excellence
Bridges to Excellence (BTE) is a non-profit coalition-based organization created to encourage significant leaps in the quality of care by recognizing and rewarding health care providers who demonstrate that they deliver safe, timely, effective, and patient-centered care. BTE works with large employers, health plans, providers and a wide range of organizations that have a shared goal of improving quality and patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.bridgestoexcellence.org.