AMA stresses reliability for proposed Medicare data rule
The American Medical Association (AMA) and 81 physician organizations recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed Medicare data for performance measurement rule should ensure that public reports on Medicare and private payor data are valid, reliable and actionable.
The organizations applauded the inclusion of safeguards in the rule that protect patients and physicians, but noted several issues that must be resolved for physician measurement and public reporting to be effective.
“CMS has included critical safeguards in this proposed rule, but further action is needed to ensure the information is reliable and the process is equitable,” said AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD.
In the comment letter, the organizations called on CMS to ensure physicians have an opportunity to review their data for accuracy and to appeal any errors before their information is made public. The AMA also urged CMS to standardize the process for developing public reports and the type of information they will include, not only across Medicare but for private insurer data, as well.
To read the letter in its entirety, click here.
The organizations applauded the inclusion of safeguards in the rule that protect patients and physicians, but noted several issues that must be resolved for physician measurement and public reporting to be effective.
“CMS has included critical safeguards in this proposed rule, but further action is needed to ensure the information is reliable and the process is equitable,” said AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD.
In the comment letter, the organizations called on CMS to ensure physicians have an opportunity to review their data for accuracy and to appeal any errors before their information is made public. The AMA also urged CMS to standardize the process for developing public reports and the type of information they will include, not only across Medicare but for private insurer data, as well.
To read the letter in its entirety, click here.