GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This month, Priority Health awarded Quality Awards to 219 physicians and physician offices for improving health care outcomes for patients throughout Michigan. The Priority Health Quality Awards are given to physicians and physician offices that achieve the highest overall scores in preventive care and chronic disease measures through the Priority Health Primary Care Provider Incentive Program.
“Priority Health has the opportunity to work with the industry’s smartest providers to bring affordable, quality care to patients across the state,” said Joan Budden, president and CEO of Priority Health. “We’re proud to recognize the results of physicians and physician offices that exceed national benchmarks and help make Michigan a healthier state.”
Priority Health sets high targets, with practices needing to meet or exceed the national 90th percentile benchmark in order to qualify for incentive awards on 27 performance measures, such as cancer and depression screening, immunizations, and chronic condition management. By collaborating with physicians, Priority Health has successfully helped health plan members avoid incidence of chronic disease complications for conditions such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, asthma and hypertension at rates better than state and national averages.
The results show that progressive targets are keeping members healthier.
For example, members who had their diabetes under control increased by 6.3%. Preventive screenings also increased. Depression screenings and follow-up care rates increased by 5% while colorectal cancer screenings increased from 74% to 75% as a plan overall.
Through this year’s Quality Awards, Priority Health will award more than $30 million to practices in support of high quality primary care, funding that is provided in addition to standard payment of services. The Quality Awards have grown significantly over the last 30 years. What started with recognition of fewer than 30 practices in 1986 has now evolved to recognize 219 practices for excellence statewide.
Awards are based on performance throughout the previous calendar year, honoring provider work in 2019. To view a full list of the 2020 Quality Award recipients, visit https://www.priorityhealth.com/about-us/for-the-media/news-release/priority-health-2020-physician-quality-awards-announced.
About Priority Health:
With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan, offering a broad portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than a million members each year, and offering a network that includes 97 percent of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Priority Health is the smart choice for people seeking affordable, quality health coverage.
