Blue Cross Bonuses for Pay For Performance Largest Ever in State
Blue Cross of California last week announced that it awarded $69 million in bonuses to physician groups in 2006 as part of a pay-for-performance program that rewards quality health care, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
A Blue Cross spokesperson said the pay-for-performance payout is believed to be the largest ever by a single insurer in California. The bonuses were paid to 167 physician groups.
Blue Cross is a participant in the Integrated Healthcare Association's pay-for-performance program.
Nick Garcia, Blue Cross spokesperson, said the insurer in 2005 paid $66 million in pay-for-performance bonuses. The amount represents 45% of California insurers' total of about $145 million (Rauber, San Francisco Business Times, 9/3).