Resource Comparison Ready for Use
The Government Accounting Office announced that comparison studies which evaluate resource utilization by physicians could be ready for publication as early as mid-2008. Part of the intent is to evaluate efficiency of care delivery and reign in doctors whose practices are less efficient.
The concept is to evaluate service use, based on Medicare resource utilization, between physicians and physician groups. The tactic could pinpoint physicians who are billing at higher rates compared to their colleagues.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supposes that comparison reporting may compel doctors to modify practice patterns to be more in line with their colleagues.
Physician groups dubbed the practice “physician profiling” and seem to be concerned about implementation. Nevertheless, the CMS Payment Advisory Commission has long advocated for such a program. And with GAO sign off, preparations to implement may soon commence.
Related stories:
- Medicare to Halt Payments for Mistakes
- Medicare to Employ Profiling?
- GAO Criticizes HHS
- New Bill Bars Payment to Tax Evaders
June 19, 2007 Related topics: Trends, Standardization