CMS recently announced it is convening a technical expert panel (TEP) on the development of a health equity structural measure. The concept of a health equity structural measure was part of the hospice and the home health proposed rules this year and, in general, NAHC supports such a measure. The details of the TEP and how to apply are below.
Dates:
The Technical Expert Panel (TEP) nomination period opens on July 15, 2022 and closes on August 12, 2022. Submit all nomination materials by the closing date.
Project Overview:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracted with Abt Associates, Inc. to provide quality measure maintenance and support including the development of a home health and hospice health equity structural quality measure. The contract name is Measure & Instrument Development and Support (MIDS): Home Health and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Quality Measures and Assessment Instruments Development, Modification and Maintenance, & Quality Reporting Program Oversight Support. The contract number is 5FCMC18D0014, Task Order number 75FCMC19F0001. As part of its measure development process, Abt convenes groups of stakeholders who contribute to the direction and provide thoughtful input to the measure developer during measure development and maintenance.
Seeking the Following Perspectives/Expertise:
We are seeking individuals with differing perspectives and areas of expertise, such as representatives from patient advocacy groups, clinical and administrative staff from home health and hospice providers, and health equity experts. Health equity experts may include (but will not be limited to) representatives from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in health care; methodologists and researchers who focus on health equity in clinical settings; and others with expertise in health equity related quality measurement.
TEP Expected Time Commitment:
The total project duration is October 2022 – February 2023. The Health Equity Technical Expert Panel (HE TEP) will convene no more than twice via teleconference:
- Meet and Greet Meeting, late October 2022
- HE TEP 1-Day Meeting, mid-November 2022
Additional TEP time commitments will include:
- Reviewing materials in preparation for the HE TEP 1-Day Meeting, which will be sent to members one week prior to the meeting (i.e., early November).
- Providing one round of feedback on the HE TEP summary report, which will be drafted by the measure developer and distributed to HE TEP members for review in January-February 2023.
Next Steps:
Please read the TEP Charter and complete the TEP Nomination Form. You may access these documents by clicking the title of each document: