Physicians in New Jersey are set to receive their first rewards from their participation in the Bridges to Excellence program, which recognizes and rewards healthcare providers who demonstrate that they deliver safe, timely, effective, and patient-centered care.
The program was launched in New Jersery last year, and 50 physicians are expected to receive their initial incentives.
Verizon (a founding member of BTE), AstraZeneca, AtlantiCare, Novo Nordisk, Public Service Enterprise Group and Trump Entertainment Resorts were instrumental employers in bringing the program to New Jersey.
Aetna has been working with employers to include more New Jersey members in the program, including fully insured members, resulting in more opportunities for incentives for participating physicians.
Other participating health plans are CIGNA, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and UnitedHealthcare. Aetna, CIGNA and UnitedHealthcare paying the initial rewards to physicians.
"The Bridges to Excellence program makes quality a key component in the value equation of healthcare reform," said Cliff Feldman, executive director, Health and Wellness Benefits for Verizon. "Rewarding doctors who provide higher-quality, evidence-based care, helps drive better results and ultimately lowers healthcare costs."
Medical groups such as Partners In Care, Corp. and Vista Health System IPA have also played an active role in driving implementation of BTE in New Jersey.
"Improving the quality and cost of healthcare requires collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders," said Michael Hudson, president, Northeast Region, Health Care Management for Aetna. "Aetna is proud to be a part of BTE and to work with physicians and employers to improve the quality and to increase the efficiency of care delivered to New Jersey's residents and our members. We applaud the physicians who have earned recognition within the BTE program and thank the employers who join us in supporting these efforts."
Physicians who demonstrate they are top performers in diabetes care and employ standards established by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (such as blood pressure and cholesterol control as well as annual foot and eye exams) can earn up to $100 for each diabetic patient covered by a participating employer through the BTE Diabetes Care Link program. Participating employers fund these incentives from the savings they achieve through lower healthcare costs and increased employee productivity that results from delivery of higher quality diabetes care.
"We are pleased to see this effort progress in New Jersey," said Francois de Brantes, chief executive of BTE. "Not only will the residents of New Jersey benefit from improved diabetes care through the use of BTE metrics, it is estimated that more than $60 million per year in avoidable healthcare costs could be saved as a result of this program."
