Cochrane Review Studies Quality-Oriented Payment Models

Medscape: Little Evidence For Or Against Pay-for-Performance Plans
As part of health care reform, the federal government is testing different ways to reward physicians for the quality — not quantity — of their services, all in the hope of improving patient care. A new Cochrane review published today underscores the importance of conducting trial runs for quality-oriented payment models, such as accountable care organizations and medical homes. The authors found insufficient evidence in the medical literature to support or oppose these kinds of incentive schemes. ... The lack of evidence cited by the authors should not suggest a lack of effort both here and in other countries to reward clinicians for quality of care (Lowes, 9/7).