The impact of pay-for-performance on health care quality in Massachusetts, 2001-2003.
Pay-for-performance (P4P) has become one of the dominant approaches to improving quality of care, yet few studies have evaluated its effectiveness. We evaluated the impact on quality of all P4P programs introduced into physician group contracts during 2001-2003 by the five major commercial health plans operating in Massachusetts. Overall, P4P contracts were not associated with greater improvement in quality compared to a rising secular trend. Future research is required to determine whether changes to the magnitude, structure, or alignment of P4P incentives can lead to improved quality.
Pearson
Steven D
SD
Clinical and Economic Review, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. spearson@icer-review.org
Schneider
Eric C
EC
Kleinman
Ken P
KP
Coltin
Kathryn L
KL
Singer
Janice A
JA
D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008404:Massachusetts; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms