Major Health Insurer Announces Plan to Pay Primary Care Docs More

WellPoint Inc., one of the nation's largest health insurance companies, recently announced a new program that will increase the company's investment in primary care practices. In a Jan. 27 press release, WellPoint said the program would roll out to a few markets in the third quarter of 2012 and will be available throughout its network of participating physicians by the end of 2014. The program will increase regular fees paid to primary care practices for some specific physician services; initiate payment for some services, such as telephone consultations, e-visits and the creation of care management plans for patients with complex conditions; and offer shared savings to practices that meet quality requirements and reduce medical costs.