Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Payback on Pay for Performance: Building Buy-In to Physician Incentive Programs

Manasquan, N.J., USA, August 8, 2006 – Physician pay-for-performance (P4P) programs have the potential to increase physician use of electronic health information technology, evidence-based clinical guidelines, administrative and clinical best practices, and access to appropriate and timely care. However, to maximize physician buy-in, health plans and employers must anticipate providers' concerns when constructing these initiatives. During Making the Business Case for Physician Participation and Engagement in Pay-for-Performance Programs, a September 6, 2006, audio conference sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN), two health plans will describe how their organizations have successfully engaged physicians in P4P programs. For more information, please visit the HIN site.

The cost of acquiring information technology, the time required to evaluate multiple programs and guidelines, and the nuances of data collection in P4P efforts are just some of the challenges cited by physicians. During the 90-minute live, interactive audio conference at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time on September 6, healthcare thought leaders will examine work-flow issues and factors that can derail physician participation and provide communication strategies that foster physician support for P4P.

Dr. Fred Hosler, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Alegent Health, and Mike O'Neill, vice president of strategy with HealthSpring, will share the rudiments of their organization’s physician payment incentive programs, including:

• What physicians need, value and are most likely to embrace;
• How to engage physicians in pay-for-performance programs;
• Communication strategies to educate physicians;
• How to effectively minimize the burden on physicians;
• Factors that can influence physician buy-in to quality-based payments and how to address them;
• How to motivate physicians to continue on a path toward quality improvement; and
• Case studies of successful physician engagement strategies.

With the goals of quality care, access to care and positive health outcomes in mind, the healthcare industry is retooling its traditional reimbursement practices, according to Melanie Matthews, HIN executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Getting doctors on board with the latest physician payment methodologies can help expand the provision of preventive services, improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient safety and satisfaction with the care they receive," she says.

This audio conference is tailored for CEOs, CFOs, chief medical officers, chief nursing offices, medical directors, quality improvement executives, health plan executives, care management nurses, strategic planning directors, human resources executives, employer coalition executives, physician organizations, and disease management directors, managers and coordinators, stated Matthews.

In addition to the live audio conference on September 6, 2006, the presentation will also be available as an on-demand rebroadcast beginning September 8, 2006, and on CD-ROM with printed transcript in late September. To register and obtain details on audio conference formats, please visit the HIN site.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network – HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 292-3073, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit http://www.hin.com.

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Contact: Patricia Donovan

Voice: (888) HIN-3530
Fax: (732) 292-3073
E-mail: pdonovan@hin.com
Web site: www.hin.com