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A Reimbursement Shift

Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:905-906.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Last year, the US Congress introduced a bill that would implement the concept of pay for performance as a method to induce physicians to do the "right" thing for their patients. It stems partially from the Institute of Medicine's reports^1-2 on the safety and quality of health care delivered in this country. These reports identified large gaps between the care people receive and the care they should receive, as well as great variability in the delivery of care across the country. If we accept the belief that physicians, like others, respond to financial incentives, then reimbursement principles and mechanism could change physician behavior.

Currently, we are paid for performance. We perform, whether properly or improperly, and are paid. This new form of pay for performance is intended to have physicians do the right thing the first time every time through financial incentives. The hope is that it will improve the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION
H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr, MD