CareFirst Rewarding Doctors For Better Care

Recently, I read an article in the Baltimore Business Journal that discussed how CareFirst, the region’s largest health insurer is starting a program next year that will reward physicians who “change the way they deliver primary care.”

The new program, which will launch January 1, 2011, is designed to double the reimbursement rate the insurer pays physicians for better care practice.

The point of this program is for doctors to help decrease the number of unnecessary diagnostic tests, hospital re-admissions and emergency room visits.

Doctors are expected to provide accurate assessments of patients’ health conditions during check-ups and follow-up appointments.

The point of this is for doctor’s to take their time and cut back on costs. “Don’t take 10 minutes; take your time,” says Chet Burrell, CareFirst’s CEO.

Don’t Take 10 Minutes, Take Your Time?!?!

Ok, I’m not an expert on health care.

I have been hearing about it almost everyday this past year because of President Obama’s Health Care Reform bill, and I am only stating the facts I have read from the article about CareFirst —

But “Don’t take 10 minutes; take your time???”

Am I wrong, or are doctors suppose to take their time and diagnose a patient’s condition properly?

I know that doctors are very busy and see many patients a day, but this program seems like it is paying doctors MORE to perform their jobs the way they are suppose to be performed.

Is it not a doctor’s duty and job to make sure they evaluate a patient’s health to the best of their ability?

I am all about paying doctors top dollar for what they do.

They save peoples lives everyday, and make sure we are healthy.

But giving a bonus for taking their time and getting it right?

Is CareFirst saying that doctors in Maryland are not performing their duties to what is expected?

Also, the state is rolling out a similar plan next year…

And doctor’s can participate in both.

So Who Will Pay For This?

This is my number one question concerning these new programs.

Since CareFirst will be paying doctors more, does that mean that patients who are insured by CareFirst will be paying more?

And will the tax payers have to pay for the State program?

It seems that the residents of Maryland will be paying more towards health care to insure that doctors are performing their jobs properly.

What do you think?