Proposed Medicaid Measures Released for Comment - January 4, 2011

As required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Secretary of Health and Human Services published a recommended initial core set of health quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults on Dec. 30, 2010.

The National Advisory Council of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) created a specific subcommittee for identifying the measures for Medicaid-eligible adults ages 18 and older. The Subcommittee consisted of State Medicaid representatives, health care quality experts and representatives of health professional organizations and associations. Dr. Rochelle Ayala from Memorial Healthcare was a member of the Subcommittee. The final report was submitted to the Chair of AHRQ’s National Advisory Council and also reviewed by CMS and staff in the Office of the Secretary of HHS.

Measures were submitted from National Quality Forum’s list of endorsed measures, Medicaid medical directors, current CMS measures and recommendations from the Subcommittee. Over 900 measures were evaluated and prioritized by the Subcommittee based on three criteria:

• Scientific acceptability of measure properties
• Feasibility of use by Medicaid
• Importance to Medicaid

Comments on the proposed measures are due on March 1, 2011. NAPH will be responding on behalf of our members. If you are interested in participating in this activity, please contact Jane Hooker.