Doctors Receive Cash Incentive To Help Diabetic Patients

Filed in archive News on May 16, 2006

The state of Georgia is the latest to join a movement designed to provide cash bonuses to doctors who help improve the health of diabetic patients.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced on Friday the incentive pay for doctors who care for diabetes patients under the State Health Benefit Plan, which covers 640,000 state employees and teachers, their dependents and retirees. An estimated 30,000 have diabetes or are at risk of the disease, state officials said.

Paying more to physicians who meet proper medical guidelines, called pay for performance, is a growing trend among employers and health insurance companies. Doctors who provide preventive medical services to diabetes patients can save money while also delivering better care, said Perdue, who credited former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich for helping create the bonus plan.

There are some concerns over the validity of the program, though many seem to support it. In short, a physician would receive $61.00 for each diabetic patient s/he helps to improve the health of...though no clear screening guidelines have been set.

Medicare is considering implementing this plan, too.

What do you think? Is this a step forward for the treatment of diabetes, or is it something that every doctor should want to do, cash or no cash?