BlueShield gets taken to task on its shoddy P4P system

Next time, consult the physicians before making sweeping policy changes. It will save yourself significant embarrassment:

Doctors object to the way Regence is measuring their performance on those criteria. Its “silver standard” rating system relies on billing data rather than the industry “gold standard” of patient outcomes – information that Regence officials say isn’Â’t easily available . . .

. . . But insurance companies should at least be upfront about what is driving their decisions. Scaring patients away from doctors who might offer outstanding care but just don’t make Regence’Â’s financial grade heaps needless insult on injury.

Apparently, they came to their senses:

“It’s clear to us that we failed to communicate with our members and providers as well as we should have, for which we are deeply sorry,” said Regence’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jeffrey Robertson.

Maybe BlueShield and Anthem can learn something from their respective debacles this week. UnitedHealth? Well, they may be beyond hope.