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What other financial incentives are available for organizations implementing quality metrics?

Many organizations may be disinclined or unable to offer specific changes to provider compensation, as in a pay-for-performance system. It is certainly possible, however, to offer financial incentives in other ways. Employee recognition can involve benefits not directly tied to salary, including funding opportunities for career development, awarding grant programs available for research or philanthropic activities tied to quality performance, and/or reducing administrative requirements that may take away from compensable performance. These incentives can serve as a means to recognize providers and align their activities to promote high-quality, health care delivery.

Financial incentives are also available through CMS’ Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.  These programs rewards the meaningful use of EHRs, of which reporting on quality metrics is a part.  You may receive  incentive payments if you meet the eligibility requirements and fulfill all required functional and clinical quality measures.  For more information about participating, see the official website for the EHR Incentive Program.  Additionally, to meet and report on these objectives and measures, providers must use EHR technologies that meet the certification standards set by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC).

Related Resources:

Rewarding Provider Performance: Aligning Incentives in Medicare – National Academies Press
Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration – Premier, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Rewarding Results: Aligning Incentives with High-Quality Health Care – California Health Care Foundation