[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73090-73091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29995]
[[Page 73090]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3235-N]
Medicare Program; Listening Session on Development of Additional
Imaging Efficiency Measures for Use in the Hospital Outpatient Quality
Data Reporting Program
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a listening session to receive comments
regarding the development of additional imaging efficiency measures for
use in the Hospital Outpatient Quality Data Reporting Program (HOP
QDRP), which is authorized under section 1833(t)(17) of the Social
Security Act. The purpose of this listening session is to solicit input
from stakeholders to identify additional potential imaging efficiency
measures that CMS could consider. Measure developers, hospitals,
medical specialty societies, medical professionals, and other
interested stakeholders are invited to participate either in person or
via teleconference. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance
is limited to space and teleconference lines available.
DATES: Meeting Date: The Listening Session announced in this notice
will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time (E.S.T.).
Deadline for Meeting Registration and Request for Special
Accommodations: Registration opens on January 7, 2011. For security
reasons, registration must be completed by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on January 25,
2011. Requests for special accommodations must be received by 5 p.m.
E.S.T. on January 25, 2011.
Deadline for Submission of Written Comments or Statements: Written
comments or statements on the issues that were discussed at the
listening session may be sent via mail, fax, or electronically to the
address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice and must be
received by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on February 10, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The Listening Session will be held in the
main auditorium of the Central Building of the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Registration and Special Accommodations: Persons interested in
attending the meeting or participating by teleconference must register
by completing the on-line registration. For in person attendance
registration is available via the Web site at http://www.cms.gov/apps/events/event.asp?id=622. Individuals who require special accommodations
should send a request via e-mail to [email protected] or by
regular mail to Imaging Measures/OCSQ/QMHAG at Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Mail Stop S3-02-01, 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. For individuals interested in participating
via teleconference, registration is available via the Web site at
https://www.magnetmail.net/events?cf4db6967a514fb681832e700ee3e5b0a.
Individuals are encouraged to register early as there are a limited
number of spaces available for in person attendance, as well as a
limited number of conference call lines for the listening session.
Written Comments or Statements: Any interested party may send
written comments or statements by mail to Imaging Measures/OCSQ/QMHAG,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mail Stop S3-02-01, 7500
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; by e-mail to
[email protected]; or by fax to 410-786-8532.
We will accept written testimony, questions, or other statements,
not to exceed 5 single-spaced, typed pages, before the meeting, and up
until 5 p.m. E.S.T. on February 10, 2011. Submitters of suggestions for
new measures are requested to provide references to the evidence base
supporting the suggested measures.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Arday, (410) 786-3141.
Eva Fung, (410) 786-7539.
You may also send inquiries about this listening session via e-mail
to [email protected] or [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 1833(t)(17) of the Social Security Act (Act) requires that
hospitals submit outpatient quality measures data to CMS in order to
receive the full annual payment update factor applicable to Outpatient
Prospective Payment System (OPPS) services furnished by hospitals in
outpatient settings. Section 1833(t)(17)(E) of the Act further mandates
that CMS make this data available to the public. CMS, therefore, has
established the Hospital Outpatient Quality Data Reporting Program (HOP
QDRP). Beginning with the CY 2010 OPPS payment update, CMS adopted the
following four claims-based imaging measures--(1) OP-8: MRI Lumbar
Spine for Low Back Pain; (2) OP-9: Mammography Follow-up Rates; (3) OP-
10: Abdomen CT Use of Contrast Material; and (4) OP-11: Thorax CT Use
of Contrast Material.
These measures are claims-based and are calculated using Medicare
claims data without imposing upon hospitals the burden of having to
abstract the data from charts.
In the CY 2011 OPPS/ASC final rule published on November 24, 2010
(75 FR 71800) for the CY 2012 payment determination and subsequent
payment determinations, CMS adopted three additional imaging efficiency
measures--(1) Cardiac Imaging for Preoperative Risk Assessment for Non-
Cardiac Low-Risk Surgery; (2) Simultaneous Use of Brain Computed
Tomography (CT) and Sinus Computed Tomography (CT); and (3) Use of
Brain Computed Tomography (CT) in the Emergency Department for
Atraumatic Headache.
Public reporting of imaging efficiency measures are important
because of the health risks and financial implications associated with
the use of imaging procedures in the Medicare beneficiary population.
Research shows that a significant portion of imaging services received
by patients may be inappropriate; and immoderate use of diagnostic
imaging also contributes to inflated medical technology costs. The
imaging efficiency measures fill a significant gap in the availability
of imaging efficiency measures at the hospital outpatient facility
level and are a seminal step in the promotion of more efficient imaging
services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
This listening session will be hosted to solicit input from
professionals and other interested parties on the development of
additional imaging efficiency measures for the HOP QDRP program.
Potential topics for consideration will include:
Other imaging procedures that would be appropriate
candidates for imaging efficiency measures;
Data sources appropriate for imaging efficiency measures,
e.g. claims data, chart abstracted data, EHRs, use of registries, etc.;
Other settings appropriate for imaging efficiency
measures, in addition to outpatient hospitals; and
Development of imaging measures using a diagnosis or
condition based approach versus measures developed using a procedure
specific basis.
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Relevant recommendations should include feedback on the integration
of the imaging efficiency measures into the overall HOP QDRP program.
II. Listening Session Format
The listening session will be held on January 31, 2011. Measure
developers, hospitals, medical specialty societies, medical
professionals, and other interested stakeholders are invited to
participate in person or by teleconference. The session will begin at 1
p.m. E.S.T. with an overview of objectives for the session. The
remainder of the meeting will be devoted to receiving input on
additional imaging efficiency measures and their integration into the
overall HOP QDRP program. The meeting will conclude by 5 p.m. E.S.T.
Participants will be permitted to speak in the order in which they
sign up. Participants are encouraged to provide references to the
evidence base supporting their suggested measures. Comments from
individuals not registered to speak will be heard after scheduled
statements only if time permits.
III. Registration Instructions
For security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting
must register by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.
Persons interested in attending the meeting must register by completing
the on-line registration via the designated Web site http://www.cms.gov/apps/events/event.asp?id=622.
The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page
to indicate the completion of your registration. Please print this page
as your registration receipt.
Individuals may also participate in the listening session by
teleconference. For individuals interested in participating via
teleconference, registration is available via the Web site at https://www.magnetmail.net/events?cf4db6967a514fb681832e700ee3e5b0a.
Registration is required as the number of call-in lines will be
limited.
Background information on the listening session will be posted on
the QualityNet Web site at http://www.qualitynet.org prior to the
session. The information will be posted under the tab for ``Hospitals
Outpatient,'' then select ``Imaging Efficiency Measures'' from the
drop-down menu. We anticipate posting an audio download and/or
transcript of the listening session in the same location on http://www.qualitynet.org after completion of the listening session.
Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special
accommodations must contact the staff via the contact information
specified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice
by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.
IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines
This meeting will be held in a Federal government building;
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. The on-site check-
in for visitors will begin at 12 noon E.S.T. We recommend that
confirmed registrants arrive reasonably early, but no earlier than 45
minutes prior to the start of the meeting, to allow additional time to
clear security. Security measures include the following:
Presentation of government-issued photographic
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service
personnel.
Inspection of vehicle's interior and exterior (this
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds.
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle
inspection.
Inspection, via metal detector or other applicable means,
of all persons entering the building. We note that all items brought
into CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of presentation or to
support a presentation, including items such as laptops, cell phones,
and palm pilots, are subject to physical inspection. We cannot assume
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport,
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings
or items used for a presentation.
We note that individuals who are not registered in advance will not
be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 60 minutes
prior to the convening of the meeting.
All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and
first floor levels in the Central Building.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773,
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: November 18, 2010.
Donald M. Berwick,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-29995 Filed 11-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P