September 27, 2011

As many of you know, Medicare is the trend-setter in reimbursement policy – often experimenting with model programs and dictating policy that is then followed by most third party payors.  Recent initiatives embraced by Medicare (i.e., the medical home model or accountable care organizations) indicate that our system is attempting to move from a payment for utilization model to a quality-based/cost-savings model.  One of the major difficulties with the potential shift is developing proper quality assessment measures in care.

Recognizing that practitioners are clearly in the best position to recommend quality measures, Medicare is requesting (until October 7th) that interested parties provide feedback and ideas for measuring quality in care; suggested measures should address the following measure domains:

* Clinical Appropriateness/Efficiency
* Population and Public Health
* Patient and Family Engagement/Experience
* Care Coordination
* Patient Safety

If you’ve been angry about decreasing reimbursement or the burdensome process of getting paid, this comment period is a chance to participate and help shape our future system.  For more information visit http://www.cms.gov/MMS/13_CallForMeasures.asp#TopOfPage

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