Primary care provider incentives improved access and care under a monthly management payment model
As we move to value-based models of care, the role of the primary care physician will play a greater role in managing the overall care of their patients instead of just getting paid to see them. Incentives have always been a positive way to increase a desired effect. Under value-based models, paying a monthly management fee to primary care physicians has been a payment model that has gained strength over the years.
However, many detractors to such a model have argued that paying a monthly management fee reduces the incentive for providers to provide access and care. In order to offset this possible occurrence, MissionPoint Health Partners added further incentives to increase access and provide certain types of care. These incentive payments are for extended week day and weekend hours, knowing what medicines patients are on regardless of who prescribed them, and having the ability to communicate with patients via a portal.
We tested to see if these additional incentives had an impact on access, communication and care around medication management. We saw a 26% increase in extended weekday hours, and a 20% increase in Sunday hours. We also saw an 8% increase in web portal adoption and a 13% increase in the use of electronic tools to know all the medications their patients are on, regardless of the prescriber.
We believe that creating the right incentives for the right reasons will improve the value delivered to patients. As primary care physicians are center to value-based models, creating incentives that are of clinical value and improve the experience of their patients is of the utmost importance. Supporting primary care in a value-based system will be imperative to delivering on improving the health of those served while reducing costs.
You can also read my thoughts on primary care provider incentives at MissionPoint Health Partners’ blog, To The Point.
MissionPoint Health Partners will become Ascension Care Management on June 1, 2017. Learn more.