Imaging measures sought
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
The National Quality Forum, a group that endorses consensus standards used in CMS payment policies, is accepting candidate performance measures until May 2 for the appropriateness and efficiency of outpatient imaging services. Issues the measures should address include potential overuse of certain imaging studies and patient outcomes related to appropriate use. The NQF project is being funded by CMS with the goal to "reduce excessive health care costs" as well as improve patient care, and will get underway this summer. CMS last year contracted with a radiology benefit manager on another project to develop imaging efficiency measures (1"The Gray Sheet" Nov. 26, 2007, p. 13)