Consumer Reports Ranks ThedaCare Physicians No. 1

It's been a long time coming but we finally have a report with simple to understand performance metrics rating many of Wisconsin's medical groups. Much like we compare automobiles and appliances we can now compare medical providers. This report compares several important healthcare measures across the main medical groups in Wisconsin.

Not surprisingly ThedaCare tops the list with a total Consumer Reports score of 87 and Marshfield Clinic is next at 83. There is a wide variation in quality scores ranging from a low of 51 and the top score of 87.  The national average is 50.

The report is based on data from the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ). In existence for ten years, it is a respected source of performance data on physicians which Consumer Reports physician executive, John Santa, vetted rigorously before being willing to attach Consumer Reports trusted name to the results. As the founding chair of WCHQ, this report is a dream come true. The healthcare leaders in Wisconsin envisioned a decade ago that one day patients would have simple, understandable information by which to make decisions on their care. The next step is to move in this direction across the nation. At the Center, we continue to work with leaders in other states to do just that. For more information contact Julie Bartels at jbartels@createvalue.org.

This report raises a number of interesting questions. Why are there are a number of medical groups in the state not reporting? Purchasers should be asking this question. If 60% of medical groups in the state report voluntarily what is the mechanism required to get everyone to report? The absence of certain groups should give pause to patients as well. I would be skeptical of the data if the medical group is releasing it on their own as suggested by Consumer Reports. Is it accurate? Is it audited? How does the patient know the numbers aren't being fudged? A public reporting process that everyone must comply with is the only way to assure accuracy.

Congratulations to all the medical groups that have had the courage to report. WCHQ and Consumer Reports continue groundbreaking work in transparency of healthcare performance.

To read the full report, click here - WCHQ-Consumer-Reports