National Standards Planned to Measure Physician Performance

Brenda Fulmer

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According to an article published April 1, 2008, in the New York Times, a national set of standards is currently being developed to help regulate the way health insurance companies rank physician performance, and represents a significant compromise between major physician groups (including the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons) and the nation's health insurers (including Aetna and United Health Care).  Dr. Nancy Nielsen, the President of the American Medical Association, believes that the agreement will put an end to the conflict between insurers and doctors that has prevented development of standard criteria that assists patients in choosing their doctors.  Physician report cards would be based on cost and quality of care, and insurers say they will allow independent parties to review their rankings. Previous rating efforts have been controversial since physicians claimed that health plans placed too high an emphasis on cost, and not the quality of care provided.  The standards are also being supported by employers and various labor and consumer groups, organizations which helped lead efforts to resolve the differences between doctors and health plans.   

According to Debra Ness, the President of the National Partnership for Women and Families, "Consumers and patients are desperate for information to make better decisions and better choices."

Hopefully, these national standards will help to assist patients in making informed decisions about choosing medical providers for themselves and their loved ones.