title: Conceptual issues in the design and implementation of pay-for-quality programs.
abstract: This article identifies and discusses key conceptual issues in designing and implementing pay-for-quality programs. Such programs offer financial incentives to providers for achieving predefined quality targets. The purpose of the article is to provide health care professionals with a framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating pay-for-quality programs. Examples are drawn from the Rewarding Results demonstration project for which the authors serve as the national evaluation team.
authors.affiliation: Center for Organization, Leadership and Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, USA. health@bu.edu
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berlowitz
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meterko
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Guldin
authors.forename: Barbara G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Bokhour
mesh_terms: D010816:Physician Incentive Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014481:United States