What family physicians need to know about pay for performance.

Pay for performance (or P4P) may seem like a distant phenomenon to many physicians – one they don’t want to concern themselves with just yet. However, in the past few years, P4P programs have proliferated. Virtually all major payers, including Medicare, are piloting P4P programs and will soon be measuring physician performance and offering financial incentives to those who meet quality targets. Although early results of P4P programs were not entirely positive, and although much debate surrounds this movement, there are no signs of a slowdown. The March 2004 issue of Family Practice Management highlighted the early trends in P4P programs and provided guidance on how to get involved. This article provides an update on the trends, issues and lessons learned, including implications for family physicians.