HIV/AIDS Subpopulation

Value Based Payment Quality Measure Set
Measurement Year 2019

  • Measure Set is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)

December 13, 2018                     NYS Medicaid Value Based Payment


INTRODUCTION

The Measurement Year (MY) 2019 HIV/ AIDS Quality Measure Set was created in collaboration with the HIV/ AIDS Clinical Advisory Group (CAG), and the New York State (NYS) Value Based Payment (VBP) Workgroup. The goal of this measure set is to align with measures used in the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program, the Quality Assurance Reporting Requirements (QARR), and the Merit–based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), where applicable. The measure set was designed to encourage providers to meet high standards of patient–centered clinical care and coordination across multiple care settings throughout the HIV population.

MEASURE SELECTION AND FEASIBILITY

During the spring and summer of 2018, the HIV/ AIDS CAG reconvened as part of the AIDS Institute´s Quality Advisory Committee and made recommendations to the State on quality measures, data collection, data reporting, and support required for providers to be successful in a VBP environment.

Beginning in June of 2017, the State initiated monthly meetings of the VBP Measure Support Task Force and arrangement–level Sub–teams. The goal of the Task Force and Sub–teams is to make recommendations to the State to support and inform the Annual Measure Review Cycle. Members of the Task Force include professionals from various Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), VBP Pilot Contractors, clinical Subject Matter Experts, and State Agencies, along with other professionals who have experience in quality measurement and health information technology. The Task Force provided feedback to DOH on quality measure feasibility, reporting, and calculation.

Upon receiving the CAG recommendations and Task Force feedback, the State defined a final list of measures for inclusion in MY 2019. For MY 2019, five measures have been removed, two measures have been added, and 2 measures have been recategorized, culminating in a total of 41 Category 1 and 2 HIV/ AIDS Quality Measures.

MEASURE CLASSIFICATION

Each measure has been designated by the State as Category 1, 2, or 3 with associated recommendations for implementation and testing for future use in VBP Arrangements. The measures below are classified by category based on an assessment of reliability, validity, and feasibility, and according to suggested method of use (either Pay for Reporting (P4R) or Pay for Performance (P4P)).

    Categorizing and Prioritizing Quality Measures

CATEGORY 1
Approved quality measures that are deemed to be clinically relevant, reliable, valid, and feasible.

CATEGORY 2
Measures that are clinically relevant, valid, and reliable, but where the feasibility could be problematic. These measures were investigated during the 2017 & 2018 pilot programs.

CATEGORY 3
Measures that are insufficiently relevant, valid, reliable and/or feasible.

Category 1

Category 1 quality measures as identified by the CAGs and accepted and deemed reportable by the State are to be reported by VBP Contractors to the MCO´s. These measures are also intended to be used to determine the amount of shared savings for which VBP contractors are eligible.1 At least one Category 1 P4P measure must be included in a VBP contract.

The State classified each Category 1 measure as either P4P or P4R:

  • P4P measures are intended to be used in the determination of shared savings amounts for which VBP Contractors are eligible. Measures can be included in both the determination of the target budget and in the calculation of shared savings for VBP Contractors.
  • P4R measures are intended to be used by the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to incentivize VBP Contractors for reporting data to monitor quality of care delivered to members under the VBP contract. Incentives for reporting will be based on timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of data. Measures can be reclassified from P4R to P4P through annual CAG and State review or as determined by the MCO and VBP Contractor.

Not all Category 1 measures will be reportable for the measurement year, as reporting on some of these measures will be phased in over the next few years. Please see the 2019 Value Based Payment Reporting Requirements Technical Specifications Manual 2 for details as to which measures must be reported for the measurement year. This manual will be updated annually each fall, in line with the release of the final VBP measure set for the subsequent year.

Categories 2 and 3

Category 2 measures have been accepted by the State based on agreement of clinical importance, validity, and reliability, but flagged as presenting concerns regarding implementation feasibility. These measures will be further investigated in the VBP Pilots. The State requires that VBP Pilots select and report a minimum of one Category 2 measure per VBP Arrangement for MY 2019 (or have a State and Plan approved alternative). VBP Pilot participants will be expected to share meaningful feedback on the feasibility of Category 2 measures when the CAGs reconvene. The State will discuss measure testing approaches, data collection, and reporting requirements with VBP Pilots as a part of the Measure Support Task Force.

Measures designated as Category 3 were identified as unfeasible at this time or as presenting additional concerns including accuracy or reliability when applied to the attributed member population for an arrangement, therefore Category 3 measures are not included in the measure set.

MEASUREMENT YEAR 2019 QUALITY MEASURE SET

The measures and State–determined classifications provided on the following pages are recommendations for MY 2019. Note that measure classification is a State recommendation and implementation is to be determined between the MCO and VBP Contractor.

Measure sets and classifications are considered dynamic and will be reviewed annually. Updates will include measure additions, deletions, recategorizations, and/ or reclassifications from P4R to P4P or vice versa, based on experience with measure implementation in the prior year. During 2019, the CAGs and the VBP Workgroup will re–evaluate measures and provide recommendations for MY 2020. Please see Appendix A for a full list of these changes.

Note: Additional changes have been made to the names for some of the measures presented below to ensure alignment with the naming conventions used by the official measure steward. There have not been any changes to the measure specifications associated with these name changes.

Category 1

The table below displays the Category 1 HIV/ AIDS Quality Measure Set, arranged alphabetically, and includes measure title, measure steward, the National Quality Forum (NQF) number and/ or other measure identifier (where applicable), and State–recommended classification for measure use. The measure set is redlined to highlight changes made between MY 2018 and MY 2019. Additions are made in red text while deletions or recategorizations are made with a strikethrough.

Measure Measure Steward Measure Identifier Classification
Adherence to Mood Stabilizers for Individuals with Bipolar I Disorder Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) NQF 1880 P4P
Antidepressant Medication Management – Effective Acute Phase Treatment & Effective Continuation Phase Treatment National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) NQF 0105 P4P
Asthma Medication Ratio NCQA NQF 1800 P4P
Breast Cancer Screening NCQA NQF 2372 P4P
Cervical Cancer Screening NCQA NQF 0032 P4P
Colorectal Cancer Screening NCQA NQF 0034 P4P
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Eye Exam (retinal) Performed NCQA NQF 0055 P4P
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Foot Exam NCQA NQF 0056 P4R
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Control (<8.0%) NCQA NQF 0575 P4R
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Poor Control (>9.0%) NCQA NQF 0059 P4P
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing [performed] NCQA NQF 0057 P4P
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Medical Attention for Nephropathy NCQA NQF 0062 P4P
Comprehensive Diabetes Screening: All Three Tests (HbA1c, dilated eye exam, and medical attention for nephropathy) NCQA P4P
Controlling High Blood Pressure NCQA NQF 0018 P4P
Diabetes Screening for People with Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Who Are Using Antipsychotic Medications NCQA NQF 1932 P4P
HIV Viral Load Suppression Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) NQF 2082 P4P
Initiation and Engagement of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse or Dependence Treatment NCQA NQF 0004 P4P
Initiation of Pharmacotherapy upon New Episode of Opioid Dependence NYS P4P
Medication Management for People with Asthma NCQA NQF 1799 P4P
Potentially Avoidable Complications (PAC) in Patients with HIV/ AIDS Altarum Institute P4R
Preventive Care and Screening: Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening and Follow–Up Plan CMS NQF 0421 P4R
Preventive Care and Screening: Influenza Immunization American Medical Association Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (AMA PCPI) NQF 0041 P4R
Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Clinical Depression and Follow–Up Plan CMS NQF 0418 P4R
Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention AMA PCPI NQF 0028 P4R
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis NYS P4P
Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease NCQA P4R
Statin Therapy for Patients with Diabetes NCQA P4R
Substance Abuse Screening Moved to Category 2    
Use of Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Abuse or Dependence NYS P4R
Use of Spirometry Testing in the Assessment and Diagnosis of COPD NCQA NQF 0577 P4R

Category 2

The table below displays the Category 2 HIV/ AIDS Quality Measure Set and includes measure title, measure steward, and the NQF number and/or other measure identifier (where applicable). All Category 2 measures are classified as P4R in MY 2018. The measure set is redlined to highlight changes made between MY 2017 and MY 2018. Additions are made in red text while deletions or changes are made with a strikethrough.

Measure Measure Steward Measure Identifier
Asthma Action Plan American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
Asthma: Assessment of Asthma Control – Ambulatory Care Setting AAAAI
Asthma: Spirometry Evaluation AAAAI
Continuing Engagement in Treatment (CET) Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence NYS
Continuity of Care from Inpatient Detox to Lower Level of Care NYS
Continuity of Care from Inpatient Rehabilitation for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse or Dependence Treatment to Lower Level of Care NYS
Depression Remission or Response for Adolescents and Adults* TBD
Diabetes Screening NYS
Hepatitis C Screening HRSA
Housing Status HRSA
Initiation of Pharmacotherapy upon New Episode of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence NYS
Linkage to HIV Medical Care NYS
Medical Case Management: Care Plan HRSA
Prescription of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy HRSA NQF 2083
Sexual History Taking: Anal, Oral, and Genital (HIV/ AIDS) NYS
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis Moved to Category 1  
Substance Abuse Screening HRSA
Use of Opioid Dependence Pharmacotherapy NYS

*A Depression Remission and Response measure has been identified by the Physical and Behavioral Health/ HARP CAGs as a priority measure for MY 2019. Final details regarding steward and specification will be made in the coming year.


Appendix A


The tables below identify the changes to the Category 1 and Category 2 measures for the MY 2019 HIV/ AIDS Quality Measure Set.

CATEGORY 1 MEASURE CHANGES FROM 2018 TO 2019

Measure Name Change Rationale for Change
Asthma Medication Ratio Added Recommended by the Chronic Pulmonary, Heart, Diabetes, and Primary Care CAG
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Foot Exam Removed alignment with other quality programs
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Control (<8.0%) Removed alignment with other quality programs
Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing [performed] Removed Removed to focus on outcome measures
Comprehensive Diabetes Screening: All Three Tests (HbA1c, dilated eye exam, and medical attention for nephropathy) Removed alignment with other quality programs
Statin Therapy for Patients with Diabetes Removed alignment with other quality programs
Substance Abuse Screening Moved to Category 2 Recommended by HIV/ AIDS CAG to better align with treatment guidelines

CATEGORY 2 MEASURE CHANGES FROM 2018 TO 2019

Measure Name Change Rationale for Change
Depression Remission or Response for Adolescents and Adults Added Measure added to prioritize depression remission measure
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Screening for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis Moved to Category 1 Recommended by HIV/ AIDS CAG to move to annual screening measure vs. one–time screen

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1. New York State Department of Health, Medicaid Redesign Team, A Path Toward Value Based Payment: Annual Update, November 2017. (Link)  1
2. 2019 Value Based Payment Reporting Requirements; Technical Specifications Manual, Nov 2018, File found in the Quality Measures tab (Link)  2