News in brief - Jan. 3, 2011

Beth Israel physicians sign "alternative" contract with Mass. Blues

The largest physician group to date has agreed to a "global payment" contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Beth Israel Deaconess Physician Organization, an independent practice organization affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, has signed on to an "Alternative Quality Contract" with the Blues, the insurer announced Dec. 10, 2010.

With the addition of Beth Israel's physician group, 40% of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members in the state see physicians who are part of an Alternative Quality Contract. The arrangement pays the group a flat, per-patient fee for primary care, hospital care and specialist visits, with additional incentive payments tied to scores on 32 quality measures.

The Beth Israel physician group includes nearly 1,800 doctors who practice around the state.

Following the recommendations of the Massachusetts Special Commission on the Health Care Payment System, which met in 2009, Massachusetts lawmakers are planning to consider legislation as early as 2011 moving the state's entire health care system to global payments, as opposed to fee-for-service.

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Commonwealth Fund awards grants to analyze health reform

A nonprofit affiliate of the American Hospital Assn. has received three grants from the Commonwealth Fund to study health system reform, according to an AHA statement issued Dec. 9, 2010.

The first grant will be used by AHA's Health Research & Educational Trust to convene medical professionals, researchers and policymakers for a workshop that will identify aspects of health system reform that encourage physicians and other clinicians to participate in and work toward cost-effective, high-quality outcomes.

The second grant will be used by HRET to survey all hospitals and health systems about integration and coordination of care.

"It will produce a very much needed snapshot of where U.S. hospitals and health systems stand regarding their ability to function within accountable care organizations," said Anne-Marie J. Audet, MD, the Commonwealth Fund's vice president of health system quality and efficiency.

The third grant will fund the development of a series of data briefs interpreting trends relevant to health system reform.

This content was published online only.

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