MedPAC wants 'fundamental change' for Quality Improvement Organizations

Technical assistance funding would shift from Quality Improvement Organizations to low-performing providers if the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has its way. Providers would become more active in the process if they were allowed to select their own QIO, as opposed to having a connection dictated by a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contract, MedPAC commissioners maintain.

MedPAC, which unveiled its proposal Thursday, is an advisory panel (www.medpac.gov) to Congress that makes non-binding recommendations. Commissioners said a “fundamental change” would come to QIOs if their proposal were adopted.

Among other recommendations that would lighten regulatory hurdles, commissioners suggested that QIOs not be bound to servicing an entire state. President Obama's new budget calls for QIO changes, but MedPAC staff feel their recommendations are even stronger, according to reports.

McKnight's Online Expo is featuring a free online webcast on quality improvement issues, including the new Quality Indicator Survey (QIS), at 1 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 24. Free registration is ongoing. Continuing educations credits will also be available at no cost to attendees