CMS is changing its contract with Medicare's quality improvement organizations, with requirements that include having the QIOs encourage the use of EMRs by providers. Under the new contract, QIOs will need to work with healthcare facilities to improve performance and quality in protecting beneficiaries, keeping patients safe, improving care transitions and following up on preventive care measures. CMS anticipates that QIOs will need to stress the use of EMRs by providers to meet quality targets, particularly when it comes to ensuring that preventive measures like immunizations and cancer screens take place. The QIOs will also use EMR data to conduct quality reviews.
QIOs that don't get in line, and quickly, could suffer financially. Under the new contract, they'll have to reach performance milestones throughout their three year contract. Also, at 18 months, CMS will be able to pull the contract if the QIO isn't making progress toward the four goals.
To learn more about the new QIO requirements:
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)
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