Hypertension Care Link
The Hypertension Care Link (HCL) program is designed to enhance care delivery and management for patients diagnosed with hypertension. Physicians who demonstrate excellent performance can earn a fixed bonus per year for each patient whose employer or health plan participates in BTE. These rewards are funded from the savings achieved through lower health care costs, and the increased employee productivity that results from higher quality of hypertension care.
Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, renal failure, and more. With more than 50 million hypertensive Americans, and related annual costs estimated at over $54 billion per year, there is clearly a need to encourage more effective management and treatment of this condition.
To earn incentives through the HCL program, physicians must meet benchmarks around such measures as blood pressure and lipid management, aspirin/anti-thrombotic use, diabetes screening, and counseling for diet and physical activity. Those who do will improve the overall health and well-being of patients, while reducing the risk of severe end-organ damage and other potentially fatal complications.
To view the Hypertension Care Link (HCL) program measures click here.
Does obtaining recognition improve the quality of health care?
The program is designed with an understanding that patients may seek the care of various types of practitioners-primary care (PCPs), cardiologists (Cards), nephrologists (Nephro) for treatment and management of their essential hypertension. Accordingly, the measures reflect that physicians should do the following:
What is the duration of Recognition?
For Hypertension Care Link (HCL) recognitions achieved on or before December 31, 2009, recognition status remains in effect for 3 years from the date on which a PAO awards recognition. Beginning January 1, 2010, the HCL recognition duration will be shortened to 2 years from the date on which a PAO awards recognition.
How will the public know which physicians have obtained recognition?
All BTE rewards eligible and/or qualified physicians and/or practices that are recognized by a Performance Assessment Organization, such as Masspro and MNCM as providing a high quality of care in the BTE HCL program are promoted on BTE’s list of HCL- recognized physicians on the HealthGrades Physician Quality Ratings website. To identify physicians in your area who demonstrate a high level of performance in providing care, go to one of these two directories.
Please note that some of this information such as reward amounts could be specific to a region. For market specifics, go to your local BTE region page.