NEWTOWN, CT – Bridges to Excellence has launched five new reward programs for physicians to assess improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease and hypertension.
BTE officials say the programs are designed to provide incentives that reward physicians and practices for adopting better systems of care that result in physician practice reengineering, the adoption of health information technology and delivering good outcomes to patients. Doctors who demonstrate excellent performance can earn recognition and also qualify for incentives from participating employers and health plans, they said.
"Our work has shown that there are significant avoidable costs associated with the management of these conditions," said Francois de Brantes, BTE's CEO. "By reducing preventable complications incurred by most patients with these chronic conditions, we could significantly improve the health of employees and save employers billions of dollars."
BTE will use a data portal to receive chart data directly or via an electronic medical record system and score data against clinical measures. The portal, from IPRO, a Lake Success, N.Y.- based independent, not-for-profit healthcare consulting organization, will provide secure access to results and allow users to review and track performance and participate in incentive programs.
"Our emphasis to date has been on encouraging the adoption of systems of care – including EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) – as well as demonstrating the use of those systems in delivering good results in patient management," said de Brantes. "It's time to switch the emphasis almost exclusively on the results of patient management and these new programs, combined with our existing focus in diabetes, ischemic vascular disease, back pain and depression, provide employers and their health plans with a complete portfolio to power up pay for performance efforts."
The new care link programs include:
