Mass. commission looks at pay-reform challenges

BOSTON – The Mass. Payment Reform Commission, appointed in January as part of the next wave of health care changes in the state, has embraced a global-payment system as its goal and is now focusing on how to get there from the current fee-for-service model.
The commission was charged with finding ways to promote cost-effective and patient-centered care, looking at new methods for paying doctors, medical homes, capitation and global budgeting and pay-for-performance incentives.
Earlier this month, the commission picked global capitation – in which provider groups are paid a fixed amount of money to meet a group of patients’ full needs, and then it’s up to them to make the most cost-effective use of their resources – as the model it wants to promote.
Now the commission is seeking input on an appropriate time frame, what kinds of incentives there should be to encourage the transition, and what providers will need, including technology, common performance metrics and help integrating into larger networks.
The commission meets next on May 8 and has its final meeting May 26. •