CMS Forum on Quality Incentive Program Set for Aug. 24

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will hold a conference call on Aug. 24 to discuss the proposed rule for the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program.

The overview and discussion will be held on Tuesday, August 24, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm ET.

To participate in the call, dial (800) 837-1935 and reference Conference ID#: 94516791.

On July 26, CMS issues the proposal that would establish a new quality incentive program that links a clinic’s payments to performance standards. Under the rule, CMS would reduce payment rates to a dialysis facility by up to 2 percent if that facility fails to meet certain quality measures.  

This proposed rule can be read online at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-18465.pdf.

CMS said the open-door forum will be designed for ESRD facilities, as well as provider, supplier, and laboratory groups. Beneficiary groups and patient advocates are welcome to attend; however, CMS said it is planning a separate open-door forum in the next couple of weeks to meet these groups' information needs.

During the Aug. 24 call, CMS staff will highlight the key features of the proposed ESRD QIP for payment year 2012, including the following.

• brief overview of MIPPA Section 153(c)
• QIP timelines (base utilization year, period of performance, payment year)
• quality performance measures
• scoring methodology, including the "Special Rule" for payment year 2012
• payment reduction methodology
• transparency of quality measure performance, scores, and payment calculations
• performance score inquiries.

After CMS' presentation, the public will have an opportunity to ask questions. Discussion materials for this call will be available to download at http://www.cms.gov/ESRDQualityImproveInit/ by Aug. 17, according to CMS.