CMS pilots P4P in Medicare population with chronic conditions

CMS is rolling out the "Medicare Care Management Performance Demonstration," a pilot performance-based physician compensation program for small-to-medium-sized physician practices in four states (Arkansas, California, Massachusetts and Utah).

Per the CMS summary of the program,  MMA Section 649 authorizes

a pay-for-performance 3-year pilot with physicians to promote the adoption and use of health information technology to improve the quality of patient care for chronically ill Medicare patients. Doctors who meet or exceed performance standards established by CMS in clinical delivery systems and patient outcomes will receive a bonus payment for managing the care of eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Practices with at least 50 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to apply.

The full summary, application and other materials are available here.

— David Harlow