Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System Risk Adjustment Assessment
MDH has been directed by the Legislature to assess the Quality Reporting System risk adjustment methodology to identify changes that may be needed to alleviate potential harm and unintended consequences of the existing methodology for patient populations who experience health disparities and the providers who serve them.
As part of this assessment, a research team from the University of Minnesota is conducting an empirical analysis of ways to strengthen MDH’s current risk adjustment system.
On March 11, the research team presented its proposed methodology to a technical panel that MDH and MN Community Measurement (MNCM) jointly convened. The research team presented its preliminary results to the panel on April 18. These presentations were open to the public.
Meeting #1, March 11
- MDH presentation
- MN Community Measurement presentation
- University of Minnesota presentation (Updated March 11, 2016)
Meeting #2, April 18
Report Stratifying Quality Measures
MDH issued a report which presents findings from its study of stratifying Quality Reporting System measures based on disability, race, ethnicity, language, and other socio-demographic factors that are correlated with health disparities and impact performance on quality measures as required by 2014 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 312 Article 23, Section 10. Eliminating health disparities and creating a culture of health equity in which all individuals have the opportunity to be healthy is among MDH's highest priorities. This report lays out a series of recommendations that offer multiple pathways to stratification that acknowledge both the differing sources of data that make up the Quality Reporting System and the current state of the evidence.
Health Care Quality Measures
Minnesota’s 2008 Health Reform Law requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a standardized set of quality measures for health care providers across the state. The goal is to create a uniform approach to quality measurement in order to enhance market transparency. The Minnesota Department of Health seeks to build on community standards and input in developing the measures.
After January 1, 2010, health plans may not require providers to submit data on any measure outside this standardized set. Physician clinics and hospitals must begin to submit data on those measures to be publicly reported starting January 1, 2010.
The quality measures must be based on medical evidence, must be developed through a process in which health care providers participate, and must be reviewed on at least an annual basis. In addition, the measures must:
- Include uniform definitions, measures, and forms for submission of data, to the extent possible;
- Seek to avoid increasing the administrative burden on health care providers;
- Be initially based on existing quality indicators for physician and hospital services, which are measured and reported publicly by quality measurement organizations including, but not limited to, Minnesota Community Measurement and specialty societies;
- Place a priority on measures of health care outcomes rather than processes where possible; and
- Incorporate measures for primary care, including preventive services, coronary artery and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, depression, and other measures as determined by the Commissioner.