The recently publicized mortality-predictor questionnaire: “Do not try this at home.”

Another possible use for it is in future pay-for-performance initiatives:

The researchers think their mortality predictor might be a useful tool in the “pay for performance” trend that is part of the nation’s health care system. Medicare and other insurers are increasingly basing reimbursement rates on how patients fare, said Covinsky.

“One health plan can look better just by cherry-picking health care patients” and accepting only the most robust patients, Covinsky said. This test could give a more accurate assessment of health plans, so that “you can actually see which ones are taking sicker patients and compare that” when measuring performance.