2012-02-22 15:06:33 - Learn how the bonus structure of Highmark's time-tested Quality Blue physician pay-for-performance program reflects market realities during a March 22, 2012 webinar by the Healthcare Intelligence Network.

SEA GIRT, NJ, USA, February 22, 2012 --- A representative of the 15-year-old Highmark Quality Blue physician pay-for-performance program will describe its best practices in bonus payments for enrolled physicians during the March 22, 2012 webinar, "Physician Pay-for-Performance: Refining the Bonus Structure To Meet Market Realities."

The 45-minute webinar, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern time, is sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network.

Learn how to build a physician bonus program that meets market realities at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?hpfppr.

NEWS FACTS:

* Scheduled Speaker: Julie Hobson, RN, BSN, HIghmark manager of provider engagement, performance and partnership.

* Conference Focus: New developments slated for 2012 to reflect meaningful use requirements; the bonus scoring algorithm currently in place that rewards physicians across

the measure set and how this algorithm will change in 2012 to reflect market developments; a "best practice" approach to practice transformation that is customizable for each practice and is eligible for physician bonus payments; going beyond the Medicare wellness exam in quality reporting in 2012; attribution, reporting and payout methodologies; and results from the program on quality performance standards and healthcare utilization rates.

* Webinar Formats: 45-minute live webinar on March 22, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, including Q&A; "On-Demand" replay available March 24, 2012; 45-minute training DVD or CD-ROM with printed transcript available April 11, 2012. Participants may add a DVD or CD to their live session registration to share with colleagues. Learn how to build a physician bonus program that meets market realities at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?hpfppr.

QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MELANIE MATTHEWS, HIN EXECUTIVE VP AND COO:

"The passage of healthcare reform all but sealed the fate of the Fee for Service (FFS) payment model. Today, payors need to construct a reimbursement strategy that not only compensates providers for PPACA-mandated care management tasks, but also builds in incentives, rewards and bonuses for hitting clinical and quality markers. Highmark is among the early innovators in this area."

Please contact Patricia Donovan to arrange an interview or to obtain additional quotes.

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) 449-4463, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit www.hin.com.