ONC Policy Committee Requesting Comments on Collaborative Models

The ONC’s HIT Policy Committee (HITPC) is currently developing Stage 3 meaningful use recommendations that will target a collaborative model of care with shared responsibility and accountability, and build upon previous meaningful use objectives. Last week they requested comments on the recommendations.

The deadline for comments is 11:59 p.m. ET on January 14, 2013. Comments will only be accepted electronically. View the Request for Comments with details on submitting comments for stage 3 meaningful use. All submitted comments will be reviewed by the HIT Policy Committee and recommendations will be revisited in their 2013 first quarter meetings.

[Related Article: HIT Policy Workgroup Tackles Stage 3 Meaningful Use Objectives]

CMS Asking for Public Comment on Potential Stage 3 CQMs for the EHR Incentive Programs

In June of 2011 Mathematica Policy Research Inc. was awarded a $9.6 million contract from HHS to develop new measures for potential use by EPs in the CMS EHR Incentive Program. Now after stage 1 and 2 they are working on stage 3. Mathematica and its subcontractor, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), have developed the measures under consideration based on literature reviews of the evidence and reviews by a technical expert panel that includes clinicians, quality experts, EHR vendors, consumers, and other stakeholders. They are now asking for public comment on the proposed measure specifications.

CMS released a statement about the measures and public comment.

The proposed measures assess key components of the annual wellness visit (AWV) benefit created through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Medicare beneficiaries. It is anticipated that these will be composite measures that use both components from existing measures and new components; the compositing methodology is under consideration. Measure testing, expert feedback, and public comment will inform which compositing methodology is applied.

To participate in commenting, Mathematica and NCQA are requesting that stakeholders review and provide feedback on these measures. All comments are welcome, but there is particular interest in feedback in the following areas:

• Relevance of the measures to the mission of public reporting under the EHR Incentive Programs for EPs
• Usefulness of the measures to improve quality of care for Medicare patients
• Feasibility of data collection via electronic health records for the purposes of public reporting under the EHR Incentive Program for EPs

To view or submit comments on the proposed specifications visit the NCQA website. All submitted comments will be reviewed and considered for revisions to the measure specifications. The comment period is currently open and will end at 5pm ET on Monday, December 17, 2012.