Insurer Quality Award Payouts Decrease

Blue Cross of California paid $65 million in quality bonus payments to 178 physician groups in 2005, a 10% decrease in payout from 2004, the San Francisco Business Times reports. In 2004, Blue Cross paid $72 million to 196 physician groups in California.

The bonuses are based on physician groups' performance in areas including:

• Appointment wait times;
  
  
• Chronic disease management;
  
  
• Compliance with screening guidelines for breast and cervical cancer;
  
  
• Number of complaints; and
  
  
• Patient satisfaction surveys.