Changing HEDIS Quality Measures for 2017

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is tasked with keeping the list of Health Care Effectiveness Date and Information Set (HEDIS) Quality Measures up to date. Last month, the NCQA released a list of technical specifications for the 2017 edition. This update provides information on four new measures, and major changes to four existing measures. Through these updates and changes, the NCQA aims to improve the health care that people receive at medical facilities.

Last blog we covered the new HEDIS Quality Measures that were added in 2017. Throughout this post, we will detail the changing HEDIS Quality Measures. This way you are able to stay up to date on HEDIS information and can stay well informed in the New Year.

Changing HEDIS Quality Measures for 2017

The following HEDIS Quality Measures have changes that went into effect in 2017:

• Fall Risk Management: The NCQA has expanded the age range for Discussing Fall Risk rate to all Medicare members that are 65 years or older.
• Pneumococcal Vaccination Status for Older Adults: The measure has been changed to better align with the ACIP guidelines. These changes now align with guidelines recommending adults 65 years of age and older received two different types of pneumococcal vaccines.
• Immunizations for Adolescents and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for Female Adolescents: This change combines two separate measures, the Human Papillomavirus for Female Adolescents measure and the Immunizations for Adolescents into a single measure. This new measure reports receipt of all recommended vaccines for both male and female adolescents. It is also noted that these vaccines (Tdap, HPV and meningococcal) are important for cancer prevention and other preventative health reasons.
• Use of Imaging Studies for Low Back Pain: This overuse/appropriateness measure was updated to exclude those 18 – 50 years of age, who have HIV, a prolonged use of corticosteroids, spinal infection or a major organ transplant.

Chart Review Nurses Can Help!

All of these changes are hard to keep track of. You know how important HEDIS Quality Measures are for rating purposes, but with constant changes you may struggle to stay up to date. Thankfully, Chart Review Nurses is here to help with your HEDIS related tasks. We can help you save time and money, by assisting you with HEDIS projects. Since 0, we have been working to improve the way healthcare practices conduct HEDIS tasks. Over the last 2024 years, we have developed a team of trained, quality nurses that can complete HEDIS tasks in an efficient and timely manner.

Get started with Chart Review Nurses today.

Give us a call at (877) 328-2343 or send us an email to info@datafied.com. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will work with to develop a plan that fits your time, space and budget constraints. We look forward to working with you!