Physicians respond to pay-for-performance incentives: larger incentives yield greater participation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which the size of the available financial incentive influences a physician's decision to participate in a pay-for-performance (P4P) program.


METHODS
Statistical analysis of historical data from Bridges to Excellence (BTE).


METHODS
Setting available financial incentives as the independent variable and physician participation rates as the dependent variable, we applied regression analysis to BTE's data from selected sites to explore the relationship of fixed bonus-based incentive programs to physician participation rates in those programs.


RESULTS
The amount of incentives available to physicians strongly affected their rate of participation. Participation rates varied with the type of program, and overall physician participation rates might grow as more purchasers/payers within a community offer similar incentives.


CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis suggests that all stakeholders--health plans, physicians, and patients--would benefit from health plans collaborating on their P4P efforts to maximize physician participation.
de Brantes
Francois S
FS
Bridges to Excellence, 13 Sugar St, Newtown, CT 06470, USA. francois.debrantes@bridgestoexcellence.org
D'Andrea
B Guy
BG
D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States