CQMC Updates Core Measure Sets with Additional Patient-focused Measures

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, after a thorough review of nine core measure sets, the Core Quality Measures Collaborative (CQMC) announced updates to five sets. The updates include both the addition of new measures, such as outcomes measures that are patient-focused and the removal of measures that are no longer supported by evidence or have meaningful opportunities to improve performance. All core set notes were updated to reflect telehealth eligibilities, endorsement status, and other considerations for the measures. The CQMC routinely assess its sets to ensure novel concepts are incorporated while only high-value measures are maintained.

“The CQMC core measure sets help assess the quality of care being delivered by physicians in value-based payment arrangements,” said Danielle A. Lloyd, MPH, Senior Vice president of Private Market Innovations and Quality Initiatives at AHIP and CQMC Steering Committee Chair. “With these changes, the CQMC is furthering its goals of ensuring patients are receiving patient-centered, evidence-based, high-quality, and coordinated care while reducing provider burden through aligned measurement in key clinical areas.”

The CQMC core measure sets are the culmination of 75+ multi-stakeholder member organizations evaluating hundreds of existing quality measures against the CQMC’s rigorous selection criteria and recommending consensus-based measures that are evidence-based to promote alignment across public and private payers within value-based contracts. The measures not only provide a roadmap for clinicians to improve care, but also give consumers valuable information on which to choose clinicians.

As part of the CQMC process, member organizations also catalogue areas prime for measure development. The CQMC today also released its annual Analysis of Measurement Gap Areas and Measure Alignment report that highlights, among other measurement gaps, the need for new measures that assess health equity and digital quality measures. “As we expand performance measurement, it is critical that we move to digital measurement to reduce the resources required and get the information in front of the physicians when it counts,” said Lloyd. “Moreover, we need to get physicians information on not only clinical gaps in care, but also social barriers patients may be facing contributing to disparities in outcomes.”

The CQMC core measure sets address the following specialties:

• Accountable Care Organizations/Patient Centered Medical Homes/Primary Care*
• Behavioral Health*
• Cardiology*
• Gastroenterology
• HIV & Hepatitis C
• Medical Oncology
• Neurology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology*
• Orthopedics*
• Pediatrics

* Measure Updates

The CQMC is a diverse coalition of health care leaders representing over 75 consumer groups, medical associations, health insurance providers, purchasers, and other quality stakeholders, all working together to develop and recommend core sets of measures by clinical area to assess and improve the quality of health care in America. The CQMC is a public-private partnership between AHIP and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is convened by the National Quality Forum (NQF).

Please click here for more information on the CQMC core measure sets. You can also view the Analysis of Measurement Gap Areas and Measure Alignment by clicking here.

About AHIP

AHIP is the national association whose members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to hundreds of millions of Americans every day. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private partnerships that make health care better and coverage more affordable and accessible for everyone. Visit www.ahip.org to learn how working together, we are Guiding Greater Health.

About the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Established in 1965, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the largest insurance payer in the United States, covering more than 130 million Americans through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Using a collaborative and human centered design approach, CMS develops and maintains quality measurement programs, the oversight and standards certification program, and determines coverage analysis. CMS sponsors numerous quality improvement and innovation programs, such as the Center for Innovation (CMMI) and the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks (HIIN). CMS is leading the country in developing value-based health care to improve the lives of all patients. These programs help set health care standards used by many organizations across health care today. Visit www.cms.gov for more information.

About National Quality Forum

The National Quality Forum (NQF) works with members of the healthcare community to drive measurable health improvements together. NQF is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization that gives all healthcare stakeholders a voice in advancing quality measures and improvement strategies that lead to better outcomes and greater value. Learn more at www.qualityforum.org.