NQF: Align Merit-Based Incentive Payment System with other federal programs

The National Quality Forum has published its guidance for the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. NQF's Measure Applications Partnership examined some five-dozen MIPS performance measures, proposed for implementation in 2017, from which data would be collected to track eligible providers' performance in 2019.

"As the U.S. healthcare system increasingly shifts to a performance-based payment system, MAP's role [is to servenationa] as an impartial advisor bringing stakeholders together from across the healthcare spectrum," NQF's chief scientific officer Helen Burstin said in a statement.

To that end, MAP offered some suggestions to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for better aligning with multiple federal healthcare programs, namely the Medicare Shared Savings Program.

[Also: Not so fast: CMS says meaningful use not dead, new incentive program will take time]

Chief among those was that aligning of measures should be a top priority, and not just for MIPS programs and alternative payment models, but across all federal programs and with states and the private sector where possible.

Indeed, NQF found that gaps still exist across clinician-level programs – most notably in patient-centered areas such as patient-reported outcomes, functional status and care coordination. These measures should go beyond patients' experience with the healthcare system to the impact of healthcare on patients' health and well-being.

Meanwhile, MAP urged continued exploration of the impact of socioeconomic status and other demographic factors on measure results, noting that the program should be taking into account when providers are caring for high-risk populations.

NQF also weighed in on measures for public reporting on CMS' Physician Compare website. With regard to those most useful for consumers and patients, MAP expressed a preference for those focused on care coordination, population health, appropriate care and on outcomes – especially those that are patient-reported.

Twitter: @MikeMiliardHITN