Physicians set 'principles' that will guide P4P decisions. Also, the AMA argues that physician participation in P4P programs should be voluntary, and physicians shouldn't be punished for refusing to take part in them. And P4P programs should involve measures across many specialties, so physicians don't lose out because the measures only target other specialties' outcomes. Most of all, the AMA resolution calls for P4P programs to focus on improving patient care, not saving money. "Fair and ethical P4P programs are patient-centered and assess physician performance with evidence-based measures," said AMA Secretary John Armstrong.
Pay-For-Performance anxiety dominated the American Medical Association's House of Delegates meeting June 18-22 in Chicago.
The delegates voted for a resolution stating that the AMA won't support any P4P program that doesn't meet the AMA's P4P principles. The updated P4P principles now state that:
The complete AMA principles are online at www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/15254.html.
According to the AMA and press reports, the association also passed resolutions to: