Evaluation of the Local Initiative Rewarding Results Collaborative Demonstrations

This report assesses the first known collaboration formed to establish financial incentives for multiple health plans in Medicaid to improve the timeliness of care for low-income children in California. The authors note that most plans found it feasible, but not easy, to implement the incentives. Interviews with providers found that some were responding by improving their outreach and followup with members. Although nearly all supported incentives in concept, many highlighted difficulties in improving care for the Medicaid population because of population factors, such as issues associated with poverty, and office characteristics, such as limited computer capability or use.