Key Points:
- There were two main incentive programs for COVID-19 vaccines.
- In the first program, providers were paid extra per vaccinated patient, facilitated through insurance companies.
- The specific distribution amounts to insurance companies, pharmacies, etc. are not publicly disclosed.
- Kentucky Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield shared PDFs about financial incentive programs on their website.
- The first incentive program paid physicians $50 per patient for each COVID-19 vaccine dose in 2021 and 2022.
- The program expanded to include patients of all ages as vaccination age limits decreased.
- The program potentially led to substantial bonuses for physicians based on patient vaccination percentages.
- The second incentive program in 2021 awarded bonuses based on the percentage of patients vaccinated within a practice.
- Calculation examples for varying percentages of patients vaccinated are provided.
- The combined bonus and incentive program could have resulted in significant additional profit for practices.
- The financial incentives may have influenced physicians to promote vaccines.
Read more at rwmalonemd.substack.com
