Abstract:
This project was designed to develop creative ways to measure cost and quality of physician services. Health care purchasers have been long aware of variation in the amount and quality of care delivered in the United States that appear to be related to differences in provider efficiency rather than patient need. This project is part of a growing body of work designed to improve the measurement of value in health care services, with a goal of making it possible to reward providers who offer greater value. While recognizing that Medicare beneficiaries are not required to designate a primary care physician or to have their care coordinated by a single physician or physician group, this research has designed both "MS-DRG" and "beneficiary level" approaches to encourage greater accountability and coordination of care.