Minnesota has instituted a pay-for-performance program for all state-paid healthcare plans. The program sets standards for quality of care in diabetes, hospital stays, preventive care, and cardiac care. Bonuses will be paid to healthcare providers who increase quality and performance.

In a related event, WellPoint (the health benefits company) will work with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons to offer “performance pay” to surgeons when cardiac patients who undergo cardiac surgical procedures, including open heart surgery, experience positive outcomes.

More information is here, and here.

Question. Could a similar program be developed for CAM? It might have to if reimbursement by health insurers and public agencies for quality of care is an objective for CAM providers.

8/2/06 11:55 JR