Scorecards compare soloists with peer specialty groups

In an attempt to improve quality of care and reduce costs, Blue Shield of California recently devised a pilot program that compares the practice patterns of solo practitioners against that of peer specialty groups in their region. The program initially involved more than 1,000 individually contracted physicians in the insurer's preferred provider network. In January, the insurer planned to roll out the program to more than 17,000 physicians throughout California.

Specialties represented in the pilot program include obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, internal medicine, and others. These specialties were chosen because they have the widest variation in practice patterns and the greatest opportunities to improve delivery of care and reduce costs, according to Blue Shield. The information garnered from the program will be incorporated into future recognition and reward programs for physicians.