Atlanta
(2012-02-03)
Listen Now:
ATLANTA, GA
(WABE) -
Two of Georgia's largest heath insures have recently announced plans to raise payments to primary care doctors. It's part of an effort to better manage patient care and reduce costly hospital visits.
null
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia says its new payment plan, which will roll out next year, will pay family medicine doctors, pediatricians, and internists up to 50 percent more than their current pay.
Spokeswoman Alexandra Leopold says Blue Cross wants to better incentivize these doctors to coordinate patient care beyond the initial checkup.
She says if patients are more closely connected with their primary care doctors, it will cut down on costly hospital visits.
"The fundamental issue that we're facing in healthcare today is the need to improve quality, but while reducing cost," said Leopold.
Blue Cross' parent company, Wellpoint, has already piloted the new pricing plan in Colorado. That pilot reduced hospital admissions by 18 percent and emergency room visits by 15 percent.
Meanwhile, Aetna announced a similar plan that will increase primary care reimbursement rates in Georgia later this year by an additional $2 to $3 per member per month.
© Copyright 2012, WABE
