Payment for Quality: Guiding Principles and Recommendations

Abstract

Payment-for-quality programs are emerging in the wake of rising healthcare costs and a demonstrated need for quality improvement in healthcare delivery in the United States. These programs, also known as “pay-for-performance” or “pay-for-value” programs, attempt to realign financial incentives with the quality of care delivered. The American Heart Association’s Reimbursement, Coverage, and Access Policy Development Workgroup provides in this statement a set of principles and recommendations for the development, implementation, and evaluation of these programs. The statement also suggests future areas for research around the realignment of financial incentives to improve both the quality of care delivered and patient outcomes.