How soon before we see P4P in physician offices?

Why This Topic Matters

The piece explains how physician office reimbursement and quality reporting were expected to evolve, and why practices were being encouraged to prepare for electronic quality data submission. It helps readers understand the policy direction behind pay-for-performance and the operational changes practices may need to make.

Article Sections

1. Use hospital model as a guide

   Introduces the hospital-based quality reporting and reimbursement approach used as a reference point for physician office programs. It places the discussion in the context of CMS quality initiatives and early pay-for-performance development.

2. Measure development and reporting methods

   Covers the organizations involved in developing physician quality measures and the general ways those measures were expected to be reported. It also discusses the relationship between claims-based reporting and electronic medical records.

3. Next step is reimbursement

   Describes the anticipated timeline for physician reporting activity and the broad idea of tying reporting to reimbursement. It summarizes the article’s discussion of voluntary participation and projected program development.

4. Prepare your practice for P4P

   Outlines practical preparation themes for physician offices, including participation in reporting efforts and movement toward electronic health systems. It emphasizes planning for quality data capture within office workflows.

5. EHR and electronic submission

   Focuses on the connection between electronic health records and future clinical data submission. It frames EHR adoption as part of the transition away from interim reporting methods.