NYSHealth Announces Endorsement Program to Recognize Health Plans With Effective Diabetes Incentive Programs

July 23, 2009 (NEW YORK) – The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) announced today that it is creating the “Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement” through its Diabetes Policy Center to recognize health plans that meet 10 criteria for effective diabetes incentive and reward programs. These programs give physicians and practices financial rewards if they demonstrate that they are delivering better care and achieving better outcomes for patients. The program is part of the Foundation’s ongoing work to reverse New York’s diabetes epidemic.

“Many health plans are already offering some type of incentive to their providers, but they are all doing it differently,” said Deborah Zahn, Senior Policy Director of NYSHealth’s Diabetes Policy Center. “That’s frustrating and confusing providers, as each is asked by health plans to monitor and report different metrics and receive different incentives based on different formulas.”

“Well-designed programs that are aligned across health plans are essential to send a clear signal to physicians on what matters most to patients with diabetes,” said Francois de Brantes, CEO of Bridges To Excellence. “Cutting down the cacophony of mixed messages to providers will help them focus on improving their care and outcomes.”

As outlined in a report released today, under the Diabetes Incentive Program Endorsement, health plans adhering to a set of 10 criteria, identified by NYSHealth’s Diabetes Policy Center and its partner Bridges to Excellence, will receive public endorsements from the Foundation. The endorsements will help consumers, providers, and employers alike identify the health plans that encourage the best diabetes care by offering the most effective incentive programs. It also will help health plans make improvements to their existing incentive programs.

Currently more than 1.5 million New Yorkers have diabetes—close to the entire population of Manhattan or Western New York—and that number continues to rise. In an effort to stem this growing epidemic, NYSHealth launched the Diabetes Policy Center to promote policies that will sustain high quality clinical care and health environments statewide. Through its New York State Diabetes Campaign, NYSHealth is committed to reversing the diabetes epidemic currently plaguing the State and to significantly improving the health of New Yorkers with diabetes.

Click here to read the Diabetes Policy Center report, “Aligning Diabetes Incentive Programs Among New York’s Health Plans.”