Blue plan unveils pilot to find care gaps

BOSTON, June 11 (UPI) -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and MDdatacor said they have launched a pilot to pinpoint patients getting below-standard care.

In a statement issued Monday, the companies said the pilot would use MDdatacor's health information technology to analyze patient medical records, then give that information to their doctors so the physicians can see which treatments do not "achieve published clinical guidelines."

The insurer said it would use the data for its pay-for-performance program, whereby doctors are given financial incentives to adhere to certain guidelines for treating particular conditions -- such as giving aspirin to heart attack patients -- to improve patient outcomes.

"BCBSMA believes in rewarding doctors and hospitals for delivering safe and effective care, and in empowering patients to take more responsibility, become educated health care consumers and become stronger partners with their doctors," said John Fallon, chief physician executive for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

"MDdatacor's unique systems automate the retrieval of critical clinical information from patient's medical records. This information then assists providers by identifying gaps in care."

MDdatacor's data will be pulled from electronic medical records, transcribed office notes and lab results received from the treating doctors, and combined with claims and pharmacy data from BCBS.