The Spine Care Link (SCL) program is focused on improving the quality of care for patients with sub acute or chronic back pain. Physicians who demonstrate they are top performers in spine care can earn up to $50 per year for each spine care patient covered by a participating health plan and/or employer. Participants fund these incentives from the savings they achieve through lower health care costs and increased individual productivity that results from the delivery of higher quality of spine care. Therefore, SCL is a win-win-win situation for physicians, employers and patients.

To view the Spine Care Link (SCL) program measures click here.

Check out the Spine Care Analysis- Savings Estimate (PDF).

NCQA Back Pain Performance Assessment Program

To obtain the rewards available through the BTE SCL reward program, eligible physicians must demonstrate that they provide high levels of low back pain care by passing NCQA's Back Pain assessment program. NCQA developed the Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP) requirements based on scientific evidence supporting their relevancy to improved care for people with back pain. Physicians must submit data on 16 evidence-based criteria focused on the delivery of appropriate care for patients with lower back pain. These include a thorough patient assessment; recommendations for appropriate physical activity, avoidance of unnecessary imaging, appropriate use epidural injections and surgical procedures, patient education, and shared decision-making with the patient about surgery and alternatives to surgery and other measures. Physicians who demonstrate high-quality performance based on these requirements will help patients receive care that best meets their needs and avoid unnecessary treatment, tests and expenses.

Given the evidence in the literature advocating the creation of physician quality reward programs that promote continuous quality improvement amongst its participants, the BTE Spine Care Link program is designed to include 2 levels or tiers of recognition. Assessment for recognition in all 2 tiers is based upon medical record data submitted on spine care process measures and outcomes representing high standard of care for acute or chronic back pain patients. A 3rd tier of recognition is expected to be introduced to the program by the end of 2008.  

How will the public know which physicians have obtained recognition?

All BTE rewards-eligible practices and physicians who obtain recognition are promoted on the HealthGrades' Physician Quality Ratings website.

What measures will be used to determine eligibility for recognition?

Two-year recognition from NCQA requires submission of standards and outcome measures for a sample of a physician's spine care patients. For specific clinical measures visit NCQA.

BTE is also testing a new national Performance assessment system using medical record data from EMRs in 2008 to speed up, simplify and standardize the physician performance assessment process and determine the importance of rapid, continuous feedback loops to physicians. Details regarding the launch of this new system and it applicability to the BTE SCL program will be forthcoming later this year.

Read more about the BTE Spine Care Link program. 

What is the duration of Recognition?

For Spine Care Link (SCL) 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 SCL recognition duration will be shortened to 2 years from the date on which a PAO awards recogntion.