[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23962]


[Federal Register: September 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of 
Authority; Office of Quality Improvement programs

    Part F of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations 
of Authority for the Department of Health and Human Services, Health 
Care Financing Administration (HCFA), (Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 
60, pp. 14659-14660, dated Tuesday, March 29, 1994) is amended to 
reflect changes in the organizational title and structure of the Office 
of Peer Review (OPR), Health Standards and Quality Bureau, Associate 
Administrator for Operations and Resource Management. OPR is being 
reorganized to properly meet the Health Care Quality Improvement 
Initiative which is part of a new initiative to improve care for 
Medicare beneficiaries. OPR is being retitled the Office of Quality 
Improvement Programs.
    The specific amendments to Part F are as follows:
     Section F.10.D.7.b. (Organization) is amended to read as 
follows:
b. Office of Quality Improvement Programs
(1) Division of Program Operations
(2) Division of Program Development
(3) Division of Contract Operations
(4) Division of Quality Measurement and Improvement

     Section F.20.D.7.b. (Functions) Office of Peer Review is 
amended by deleting the statement and substructure in their entirety 
and replacing them with the new functional statements. The new 
functional statements read as follows:
b. Office of Quality Improvement Programs (FLE3)
     Directs the Medicare Health Care Quality Improvement 
Program (HCQIP).
     Oversees the development and implementation of a variety 
of performance measurement and quality management/improvement efforts 
to assess/improve quality of care activities in all health care 
settings.
     Develops and interprets policies, regulations and 
legislation to support the HCQIP.
     Develops and implements operational procedures and 
instructions for the award, management and validation of the HCQIP 
related contracts.
     Develops and manages a program effectiveness strategy and 
reporting system.
     Develops, implements, and maintains Informational 
Resources Management (IRM) activities in support of HCQIP including 
development and oversight of ADP systems, e.g., technical and 
management information systems.
     Provides direction to, and coordinates activities with, 
the HCFA regional offices' HCQIP activities.
     Maintains liaison with other HCFA, HHS and Executive 
Branch components, Congress, and external professional and medical 
organizations.
(1) Division of Program Operations (FLE31)
     Manages day-to-day operations of HCQIP systems activities.
     Oversees HCQIP systems support contracts.
     Designs, operates, documents, and maintains system 
applications used in the administration of the HCQIP.
     Coordinates with HCFA regional offices and other HHS/HCFA 
components regarding Informational Resources Management (IRM) and 
systems/operational issues.
     Designs, develops, and monitors HCQIP management reports 
to support effective and efficient operation of HCQIP systems and 
tracking of contractor deliverables.
     Provides technical assistance in implementing and 
maintaining program-related ADP systems.
     Oversees training, evaluating, budgeting, and planning to 
support HCQIP contractor proposals, as well as establishing procedures 
regarding systems operations and security.
     Provides internal ADP support, e.g., investigates, 
develops and implements new office automation technology.
     Manages Data Abstraction Contracts.
     Maintains liaison with other HCFA and HHS components, 
Congress, and external professional organizations.
(2) Division of Program Development (FLE32)
     Develops, implements, and interprets program policy and 
guidance pertaining to the implementation of the HCQIP in all health 
care settings.
     Monitors legislative, regulatory and operational 
developments related to the HCQIP, and develops/amends related 
regulations and legislative proposals.
     Coordinates with other HHS/HCFA components and appropriate 
private/public sector organizations regarding the development of HCQIP 
program policy, regulations, and legislative proposals.
     Develops program manual issuances and policy guidance.
     Develops and manages program approaches to apply HCQIP 
strategies to health care provided in all health care settings.
     Develops and implements quality improvement/management 
feedback/dissemination mechanisms.
     Processes and responds to inquiries from the public, 
Congress and other entities regarding HCQIP.
(3) Division of Contract Operations (FLE33)
    Maintains responsibility for the following activities in support of 
HCQIP contracts, accounts and support activities:
     Formulates contract and administrative budgets.
     Maintains fund control systems.
     Develops and manages the procurement planning process.
     Coordinates contract development, evaluation and 
negotiations.
     Provides program guidance, technical assistance and 
training to HCFA central and regional office staff and contractor 
personnel on program evaluation and financial management activities.
     Develops, implements and manages a comprehensive system 
for assessing contractor performance and for measuring the overall 
effectiveness of HCQIP.
     Conducts liaison with HCFA central and regional office 
staff and the contractor community concerning contract and financial 
management and evaluation issues.
(4) Division of Quality Measurement and Improvement (FLE34)
     Oversees a variety of performance measurement and quality 
improvement efforts to assess/improve quality of care activities in 
health care settings.
     Direct and monitor the development of HCQIP projects to 
improve quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries.
     Analyzes clinical, claims, and demographic data and 
develops models to measure patterns and outcomes of care.
     Directs and monitors the development, assessment, 
compilation, preparation, and dissemination of information on the 
quality and patterns of care.
     Develops data and information dissemination protocols to 
provide feedback to the public and medical community on the quality of 
care provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
     Promotes participation of public and private sector 
individuals and groups in the development of performance measures and 
quality improvement strategies of mutual benefit and interest.

    Dated: September 9, 1994.
Bruce C. Vladeck,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-23962 Filed 9-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P