Primaris to Continue to Provide Assistance to Missouri Healthcare Providers

COLUMBIA, Mo. - July 23, 2014 - PRLog -- TMF Health Quality Institute has secured the five-year Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Primaris will serve as a subcontractor to TMF to continue working to improve the quality of healthcare throughout Missouri.

In May 2014, CMS announced changes to the structure of its QIO program among which include a multi-state, regional approach to replace state-specific QIOs for quality improvement work, designated the QIN-QIO Program.

“Primaris looks forward to working with TMF to be a part of a strong quality improvement team throughout the multi-state region,” said Richard A. Royer, Chief Executive Officer. “For more than 30 years, Primaris has played an integral role in improving healthcare for Missouri’s one million Medicare patients; we are ready to continue this important work.”

The QIN-QIO contract aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Quality Strategy to accomplish better care, better health for people and communities, and affordable care through improvements.

The contract focuses on several key issues:

·         Improving cardiac health and reducing cardiac health care disparities

·         Reducing disparities in diabetes care

·         Improving prevention efforts through meaningful use of health information technology

·         Reducing infections in hospitals

·         Reducing harm in nursing homes

·         Assisting physicians and hospitals with quality reporting

·     Helping communities improve the coordination of health care for patients to help reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions

Primaris will subcontract with TMF to provide targeted technical assistance in Missouri and will engage providers and stakeholders in improvement initiatives through numerous Learning and Action Networks. The networks serve as information hubs to monitor data, engage relevant organizations, facilitate learning and sharing of best practices, reduce disparities and elevate the voice of the patient.

The announcement of the QIN-QIO contract award represents the second phase of the CMS restructuring of the QIO program. CMS made major changes to the QIO program in 2014, electing to separate medical case review from quality improvement efforts. On May 9, 2014, CMS announced the award of case review work, designated as the Beneficiary and Family-Centered Care QIO Program contracts to Ohio-based KePRO and Maryland-based Livanta, LLC. These two organizations will handle all Medicare case review activities throughout the U.S. beginning Aug. 1, 2014.

About QIOs

The QIO Program is an integral part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Quality Strategy to transform America’s healthcare system. Under contract with CMS, the QIOs serve as the largest federal program dedicated specifically to improving healthcare quality at the community level. The program focuses on three aims: better patient care, better population health, and lower healthcare costs through improvement. More information on the QIO program can be found at www.QIOProgram.org or by contacting 1-800-MEDICARE.

About Primaris

For more than 30 years, Primaris has championed healthcare quality improvement by combining in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience and an enthusiastic expert staff. We partner with physicians, providers, patients and payers to improve clinical outcomes and the patient experience. Located in Columbia, MO, Primaris also provides insurance counseling services for Missourians. More information is available at www.primaris.org.

About TMF Health Quality Institute
TMF Health Quality Institute focuses on improving lives by improving the quality of health care through contracts with federal, state and local governments, as well as private organizations. For more than 40 years, TMF has helped health care providers and practitioners in a variety of settings improve care for their patients.