Quality Measurement in the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Project: Findings from the Final Report

Jennifer E. Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN

Launched in 2014, the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program supports states’ ongoing efforts related to payment and delivery system reforms with targeted technical support and tools in four functional areas: quality measurement, performance improvement, data analytics, and payment modeling and financial simulations. The program, co-chaired by myself and Dr. William Golden,  recommends measures that address key quality issues in each of the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program’s four areas of focus. These overlapping and interrelated areas of care include reducing substance use disorders, improving care for beneficiaries with complex needs and high costs, promoting community integration through long-term services and supports, and supporting physical and mental health integration.

The final report, Quality Measurement in the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Project, was released in September.  It notes the following measure recommendations that all state Medicaid agencies and stakeholders can immediately begin leveraging for better, more efficient care:

Reducing substance abuse disorders: 24 measures and five measure concepts, such as screening and brief intervention, medication-assisted treatment, and continuity of care.

Improving care for beneficiaries with complex care needs and high costs: 18 measures and one measure concept, such as care utilization, follow-up care, and medication reconciliation.

Promoting community integration through long-term services and supports: 10 measures and four measure concepts, such as quality of services, access to care, and medication reconciliation.

Supporting physical and mental health integration: 30 measures and one measure concept, such as coordination of treatment among providers, screening for physical and mental health conditions, and care follow-up.

You can read more about the work of the program and access the final report at the NQF website.