What we know and do not know about tiered provider networks.

In response to continuing concerns about escalating health care costs and poor quality care, many health plans have adopted a strategy called "tiered provider networks." With TPNs, plans provide financial incentives for members to utilize hospitals, primary care physicians, and/or specialist physicians identified as performing especially well in terms of cost-efficient and/or high-quality care. The strategy is relatively new, and little is known about TPN structure, implementation, or operation.

Developing a performance-based incentive program for hospitals: a case study from Maine.

A health care coalition in Maine has piloted a performance-based incentive payment program that creates a single statewide program, based on common standards. Incentive payments were funded by a hospital's financial guarantee that was matched by employers. A two-step incentive allocation methodology differentiates adequate and superior performance.