Health policy experts formed Prometheus in order to help update provider compensation methods. The proposed solution is called the Evidence-Based Case Rates system (ECR).
Prometheus organizers explain how ECR payment works:
An ECR is a payment rate that establishes the total amount to be paid to all providers to care for a patient through an entire episode of care according to what the evidence says is the best protocol in clinical practice guidelines.
Another component of the program is that “10% to 20% of the payment will go into a ‘performance contingency fund’ linked to patient satisfaction, cost efficiency and the outcome of the care.” In addition “some of the ECR payment will depend on the performance of the providers that a provider refers patients to.”
I wonder how they will gauge “customer satisfaction” and “performance of the providers”? Regardless, the fact that providers have to actually do more than just show up is good news for patients.
Prometheus is going to start testing this system “to compensation for preventive care, routine care, joint replacements and treatment of lung cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart problems.”
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