Question

Quality vs. Access

How could the payment system be modified to reward quality of care but not result in reduced access to those in lower socio-economic groups or with poorer health?

Answer 1

It has always been debatable that which is more important out of quality and the accessibility of the medicare provided to lower socio-economic group. There is a gap for both the accessibility and the quality. But I believe quality is more important than accessibility. Hence there should be some modified payment structure that can reward for the quality of medicare.

Usually we see low level of facilities provided the lower socio economic group. Apart from this we also see that medicare is not up to certain standards. All these can be factored in by providing some incentives from the government or the head of the setup. Like by maintaining certain standards of facilities which the poor can avail might led to receiving of certain fraction of incentive. By creating bills with transaction ID, Tax ID etc. for each patient that is been treated in that set up. That should involve the details of all the medical facilities, medicines etc. given to the particular patient. Monthly review of those bills can get them performance bonus if the standards are maintained.