Aetna Plans to Launch Bridges to Excellence in DC

As a part of its pay-for-performance strategy and programs, Aetna has entered into a licensing agreement with Bridges to Excellence (BTE). Aetna is incorporating BTE in its pay-for-performance strategy and programs to recognize and reward physicians who meet certain goals to improve patient care and patient safety.

Bridges to Excellence, founded in 2002, is a non-profit multi-stakeholder coalition of physicians, health plans, quality experts and some of the nation’s major employers. Aetna currently participates in BTE efforts in Cincinnati, OH, Louisville, KY, and Atlanta, GA, and anticipates rolling it out in Virginia, DC and Maryland in 2007.

As of December 2005, the BTE program has 1,618 recognized physicians who have received over $4.7 million in financial rewards to date.

The program is based upon physician recognition programs designed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) working with physician experts and its partners, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association.

BTE evaluates and rewards physician’s clinical actions in three critical areas: high-quality cardiovascular care; high-quality diabetes care and the reduction of medical errors.

Cardiac Care Link (CCL) is focused on improving the quality of care for patients with cardiovascular disease. Physicians must have completed the NCQA Heart/Stroke Recognition Program.

Diabetes Care Link (DCL) is intended to improve the quality of care for patients with diabetes. Physicians must have completed the NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program.

Physician Office Link (POL) is targeted at promoting office practice’s use of information systems to enhance the quality of patient care. Physicians must have completed the NCQA Physician Practice Connections Recognition Program.