The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently launched two new initiatives to reduce administrative burden on physicians.
On Monday, Administrator Seema Verma discussed a new approach to quality measurement called Meaningful Measures during a plenary session at the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) Fall Summit in Arlington, Virginia. The initiative seeks to address growing concern that today’s performance measures are overly focused on evaluating processes. According to Administrator Verma, “Meaningful Measures will involve only assessing those core issues that are the most vital to providing high-quality care and improving patient outcomes.”
Last week Administrator Verma also met with 35 provider associations and organizations to announce the start of the “Patients over Paperwork” initiative, a process designed to reduce administrative burden by evaluating and amending existing provider regulations. As part of the initiative, CMS will travel the country to gain insight on what aspects of regulatory compliance should be changed to allow providers to spend more time with patients. The program was introduced one day after the American Hospital Association released a report, which found that U.S. health care spending on the administrative aspects of regulatory compliance is approximately $39 billion per year. During the launch, CMS, along with partnering organizations, emphasized its commitment to reduce unnecessary burden.
Information on regulatory issues impacting sleep medicine, as well as resources on how to become more involved, can be accessed on the AASM Advocacy webpage.
