Wellpoint to raise doctors' pay to increase quality of care

WellPoint Inc., the largest U.S. health insurer by enrollment, will tie the amount of money doctors receive to the quality of care provided, offering more pay for keeping patients healthier and costs down. The program, which increases the payout to primary care doctors by 10 percent, also will aim to enhance information sharing and provide support from WellPoint clinical workers, the Indianapolis-based company said in a statement today. The change increases WellPoint's overall medical spending by 1 percent and may help attract new members, said Jill Hummel, the company's vice president of payment innovation.