The COPD Care Link (COPD CL) program is designed to enhance care delivery and management for patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 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 COPD care.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of illness and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 120,000 Americans annually. Close to 11 million Americans suffer from COPD, with many more suspected undiagnosed cases. COPD related annual costs are estimated at over $31 billion, with a recent study predicting a cost of over $800 Billion over the next 20 years[1]. With increasing COPD related costs and disease burden expected there is clearly a need to encourage more effective management and treatment of this condition.

BTE is addressing this need by working with COPD experts to develop measures to assess and reward superior physician performance. To earn incentives through the COPD Care Link (COPD CL) program, physicians must meet benchmarks on measures as spirometry evaluation and monitoring, appropriate use of inhaled bronchodilators, smoking cessation, and receipt of annual influenza vaccination. 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 COPD Care Link (COPD CL) 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), pulmonologists (PULM) and Allergy and Immunology specialists (AI)-for treatment and management of their Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Accordingly, the measures reflect that physicians should do the following:

• Provide high-quality care from the outset of patient contact
• Understand and consider previous treatment history to help avoid inappropriate treatment

What is the duration of Recognition?

For COPD Care Link (COPD CL) recognitions achieved on or before December 31, 2009, remain in effect for 3 years from the date on which a PAO awards recognition. Beginning January 1, 2010, the COPD CL 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 COPD CL program are promoted on BTE’s list of COPD CL- 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.