Insurance vaccination incentive programs - need some guidance

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

I’m in discussions with a relative regarding vaccines and working my way to convince them that a lot of what they think they know, is in fact misinformation propagated my social media, etc. One of the arguments this person has brought forth is the insurance incentives provided to medical professionals who complete childhood immunization schedules. The 2016 Blue Cross Performance Recognition Program shows a $400 incentive payout for this goal. The problem is, this is being used as an example of the “big pharma” paying doctors to vaccinate argument. How do I go about explaining this type of incentive program? I figured you guys would be familiar with these programs and maybe have an effective way of breaking down why they exist and how they are not tied to “big pharma.”

Thanks as always!

2

I am not familiar with these programs because I do not work in a fee-based system like this myself.

However, this incentive is not being paid by the pharmaceutical company. It is in the clear interest of an insurance company for their patients to be vaccinated, since a $400 incentive is far cheaper than the cost of a hospitalization for a vaccine-preventable illness and/or its complications.