Pay-For-Performance May Widen Treatment Gap

by R K · 2010-05-05 10:08:00 UTC
Topics:

Pay-for-performance programs may widen the disparities experienced by poor and underserved communities, a new study suggests.

The RAND Corporation, a global think tank, has concluded that pay-for-performance could draw needed funds away from needy communities, creating a vicious cycle that would further hurt poor and minority communities.

Sounds important, and threatening, but the theory goes a little like this: if physicians are rewarded for providing better care and minorities and the impoverished receive less-good care, then the doctors who treat a lot of the underserved will be paid less, which will mean fewer dollars in underserved communities, which will mean worse care.

How about just providing better care?

Caveat: I haven't seen the full study, just the abstract; but the centrist RAND Corporation is partially funded by the healthcare industry.

Photo: Klobetime

R K is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. She covers health/science, careers/business and food — sometimes all at once.
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