Availability of Data for Performance Measurement is Key
To: Members and Supporters
From: Paul
HPCI and IHBA were two of 38 signing on to a recent letter supporting availability of Medicare data for performance measurement. These 38 are a growing collaboration of leading consumer, labor, and employer organizations committed to improving quality and affordability of health care through the use of performance information to inform consumer choice, payment, and quality improvement.
As you may know, Medicare in Iowa accounts for almost one-half of all medical claims and thus it is the dominate payer. Included in the letter, which is attached, is the following key set of ideas:
"We strongly support making Medicare data available so that reports on provider performance can be compiled. Greater transparency of provider performance is necessary to improve the quality, safety, and cost of health care and give consumers much needed information to make decisions. In addition, reports on provider performance give health plans and others information to guide contracting, tiering, benefit design, andpay-for-performance programs. Other industries provide comparative information on performance to enable consumer decision-making and stimulate market improvements. Health care should be no different. In fact, in health care, there is an even greater imperative to make useful information available because patients' lives and well-being are at stake."
Paul M. Pietzsch, MPH
HPCI - IHBA Office
4430 Ashley Park Drive
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
(515) 778-6300