Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has announced that a program offering financial incentives to affiliated physicians for consistent, effective use of electronic medical records, among other goals, has helped the hospital achieve meaningful use criteria and achieve other quality goals.
The MGPO Quality Incentive Program offers rewards of up to $5,000 per year to Massachusetts General Physician Organization physicians participating in managed care contracts who used EMRs, e-prescribing and certain evidence-based care models to meet performance targets.
The program has been very popular, and more than 90 percent of available incentive funds have been distributed. "Although the maximum annual incentive payment amounts to only a small percentage of the average physician's income, it proved to be a powerful motivating force among a group of physicians who pride themselves on excellent performance," said Deborah Colton, senior vice president of MGPO, in the news release.
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