Mass. Not Achieving Savings From Global Payment Model

New global payment models do not cost less than the fee-for-service system in Massachusetts, according to a new report issued by state Attorney General Martha Coakley (D). Global payment contracts generally call for paying physicians a fixed per-patient amount and include financial incentives for meeting quality goals and cutting costs. Coakley said global payments are a step in the right direction because they reward quality, but she suggested that Massachusetts adopt "temporary statutory restrictions on how much prices may vary for similar services."

• "Mass. Finds New System Not Cutting Health Costs" (Kowalczyk, Boston Globe, 6/23).
• "Report Finds Ongoing Health Care Price Problems in Massachusetts" (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 6/22).
• "Blue Cross Cries Foul Over AG Martha Coakley's Cost Report" (McConville, Boston Herald, 6/23).