Measurement & Reporting

Public reports are an integral part of the AF4Q initiative in West Michigan. Every physician organization participating in the Alliance for Health public report has scored above the national average on diabetes outcome measures for insured patients. The Alliance for Health has produced two reports on diabetes. The first report, using Medicare claims data as the source, contains information of diabetes care processes (e.g., HbA1c testing rates). The second report was based upon clinical data reported from Advantage Health, Lakeshore Health Network, Metro Health, MMPC and Spectrum Health....

The performance measurement and public reporting for the Maine AF4Q alliance is spearheaded by the Maine Health Management Coalition (MHMC) and provides a great example of using community-level quality measurement to create a health provider tier program. The plan sponsor members of MHMC use the MHMC quality measures to create benefit design incentives such as co-pay waivers to direct consumers toward high quality primary care physician practices and hospitals. In 2011, the MHMC is adding a cost measure for hospitals, and some of the plan sponsors are using the quality and cost measures...

In 2008, the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) launched its online physician organization performance public report, now available at www.myCareCompare.org. A preliminary review of GDAHC’s “Round Four” performance data shows improvements in the four years measured for almost all of the reported measures. Specific improvements include:

  • All five diabetes measures improved over time, particularly:
    • Cholesterol medication use for...

In a pilot designed to increase the number of people with diabetes who receive in-depth training on diabetes self-management education, Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) trained nearly 200 employees at five employer worksites and two union offices. Results to date, based on clinical and self-reported data, have been positive with some improvements noted in patients’ glycemic index, blood pressure, lipid, and weight control. Preliminary productivity data shows gains of 28% at 3 months and 40% at 6 months.
 

Keeping diabetes under control requires a lot of effort outside the doctor’s office. The Cleveland AF4Q Alliance reached out to consumers with diabetes education events held at a grocery store in a neighborhood with a large population of Puerto Rican Hispanics, who are at higher risk for diabetes. The outreach events garnered substantial local media attention, and community partners were quick to participate. The event promoted a significant increase in visits to the Alliance’s public reporting site, which also includes Spanish and English versions of healthy recipes and tips...

YourHealthMatters.org, a community-based website that reports and compares how physician practices perform in Greater Cincinnati, has re-launched with a new design and expanded public performance reports. The newly redesigned site is now more comprehensive, easier to use and puts a strong focus on patient/physician partnerships. The site includes over 40% of primary care physicians in Greater Cincinnati reporting their results in treating their patients with diabetes. In addition, health care consumers can now access reports...