PHYSICIAN FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND FEEDBACK - FAILURE TO INCREASE CANCER SCREENING IN MEDICAID MANAGED CARE

Objectives. A randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of feed back and financial incentives on physician compliance with, cancer scr eening guidelines for women 50 years of age and older in a Medicaid he alth maintenance organization (HMO). Methods. Half of 52 primary care sites received the intervention, which included written feedback and a financial bonus. Mammography, breast exam, colorectal screening, and Pap testing compliance rates were evaluated. Results. From 1993 to 199 5, screening rates doubled overall (from 24% to 50%), with no signific ant differences between intervention and control group sites.Conclusio ns. Financial incentives and feedback did not improve physician compli ance with cancer screening guidelines in a Medicaid HMO.