Department of Health and Human Services releases 26 quality measures for Medicaid Patients

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services has released a list of 26 quality measures for voluntary use by state Medicaid agencies according to a press release.

According to the press release, the list of 26 measures, down from the 51 measures originally proposed, includes preventive measures, measures to track management of chronic diseases, patient experience measures, care coordination, and program availability measures. 

By January 1, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services will develop a standardized reporting format and encourage voluntary reporting by the States.  A full list of the measures can be found here. 

(Sources: AHA News Now, AHA News Now, http://ahanews.com, January 5, 2012; Department of Health and Human Services Press Release, http://www.ofr.gov/, December 30, 2011)