Advance Quality: A Measurement Initiative
December 3, 2019 · Jazmyne Carter
Quality and measurement. The two things that drive NCQA.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and NCQA recently won a federal government grant for quality measurement development, and here’s to hoping you’ll want to pitch in too.
Quality Measure Development Initiative
The Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded APA funding specifically for quality measurement development in the CMS high priority fields of mental health and substance use disorders. With the grant, the APA created the Quality Measure Development Initiative.
Here’s where you may play a part.
Providers
APA and NCQA are searching for providers to participate in this initiative to help us test and develop these measures. This initiative needs the diverse experience of those who understand the day-to-day happenings in the behavioral health field.
“The development of mental health and substance use measures are long overdue,” said Michael Barr, MD, NCQA Executive Vice President, Quality Measurement and Research Group. “This addresses a critical gap in measurement that has significant impacts on primary care.”
Patients, Caregivers and Family Members
APA and NCQA also seek patients, caregivers and family members of those with mental and substance use disorders. We want them to serve on the Consumer/Family Panel (CFP). They will ensure that we heed the patient and caregiver voice in our measure development process.
CFP panelists provide unique and diverse perspectives on the quality of care. They help us develop measures that are easily understood, relevant and useful to consumers.
“It is important for the Initiative to include these diverse perspectives,” said Jerry Halverson, MD. Project Co-Chair. “because patients and providers want to know that the care yields positive health outcomes and is cost efficient.”
How to Join
If you are interested, apply soon. Time and seats are running short. Just email Barbara Casanova at bcasanova@psych.org if you need more information. Then, visit the website to apply.
Give your support to quality measurement. Join today.
