[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73090-73091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29995]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3235-N]


Medicare Program; Listening Session on Development of Additional 
Imaging Efficiency Measures for Use in the Hospital Outpatient Quality 
Data Reporting Program

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a listening session to receive comments 
regarding the development of additional imaging efficiency measures for 
use in the Hospital Outpatient Quality Data Reporting Program (HOP 
QDRP), which is authorized under section 1833(t)(17) of the Social 
Security Act. The purpose of this listening session is to solicit input 
from stakeholders to identify additional potential imaging efficiency 
measures that CMS could consider. Measure developers, hospitals, 
medical specialty societies, medical professionals, and other 
interested stakeholders are invited to participate either in person or 
via teleconference. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance 
is limited to space and teleconference lines available.

DATES: Meeting Date: The Listening Session announced in this notice 
will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time (E.S.T.).
    Deadline for Meeting Registration and Request for Special 
Accommodations: Registration opens on January 7, 2011. For security 
reasons, registration must be completed by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on January 25, 
2011. Requests for special accommodations must be received by 5 p.m. 
E.S.T. on January 25, 2011.
    Deadline for Submission of Written Comments or Statements: Written 
comments or statements on the issues that were discussed at the 
listening session may be sent via mail, fax, or electronically to the 
address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice and must be 
received by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on February 10, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The Listening Session will be held in the 
main auditorium of the Central Building of the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    Registration and Special Accommodations: Persons interested in 
attending the meeting or participating by teleconference must register 
by completing the on-line registration. For in person attendance 
registration is available via the Web site at http://www.cms.gov/apps/events/event.asp?id=622. Individuals who require special accommodations 
should send a request via e-mail to [email protected] or by 
regular mail to Imaging Measures/OCSQ/QMHAG at Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services, Mail Stop S3-02-01, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. For individuals interested in participating 
via teleconference, registration is available via the Web site at 
https://www.magnetmail.net/events?cf4db6967a514fb681832e700ee3e5b0a. 
Individuals are encouraged to register early as there are a limited 
number of spaces available for in person attendance, as well as a 
limited number of conference call lines for the listening session.
    Written Comments or Statements: Any interested party may send 
written comments or statements by mail to Imaging Measures/OCSQ/QMHAG, 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mail Stop S3-02-01, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; by e-mail to 
[email protected]; or by fax to 410-786-8532.
    We will accept written testimony, questions, or other statements, 
not to exceed 5 single-spaced, typed pages, before the meeting, and up 
until 5 p.m. E.S.T. on February 10, 2011. Submitters of suggestions for 
new measures are requested to provide references to the evidence base 
supporting the suggested measures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Arday, (410) 786-3141.
Eva Fung, (410) 786-7539.

    You may also send inquiries about this listening session via e-mail 
to [email protected] or [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 1833(t)(17) of the Social Security Act (Act) requires that 
hospitals submit outpatient quality measures data to CMS in order to 
receive the full annual payment update factor applicable to Outpatient 
Prospective Payment System (OPPS) services furnished by hospitals in 
outpatient settings. Section 1833(t)(17)(E) of the Act further mandates 
that CMS make this data available to the public. CMS, therefore, has 
established the Hospital Outpatient Quality Data Reporting Program (HOP 
QDRP). Beginning with the CY 2010 OPPS payment update, CMS adopted the 
following four claims-based imaging measures--(1) OP-8: MRI Lumbar 
Spine for Low Back Pain; (2) OP-9: Mammography Follow-up Rates; (3) OP-
10: Abdomen CT Use of Contrast Material; and (4) OP-11: Thorax CT Use 
of Contrast Material.
    These measures are claims-based and are calculated using Medicare 
claims data without imposing upon hospitals the burden of having to 
abstract the data from charts.
    In the CY 2011 OPPS/ASC final rule published on November 24, 2010 
(75 FR 71800) for the CY 2012 payment determination and subsequent 
payment determinations, CMS adopted three additional imaging efficiency 
measures--(1) Cardiac Imaging for Preoperative Risk Assessment for Non-
Cardiac Low-Risk Surgery; (2) Simultaneous Use of Brain Computed 
Tomography (CT) and Sinus Computed Tomography (CT); and (3) Use of 
Brain Computed Tomography (CT) in the Emergency Department for 
Atraumatic Headache.
    Public reporting of imaging efficiency measures are important 
because of the health risks and financial implications associated with 
the use of imaging procedures in the Medicare beneficiary population. 
Research shows that a significant portion of imaging services received 
by patients may be inappropriate; and immoderate use of diagnostic 
imaging also contributes to inflated medical technology costs. The 
imaging efficiency measures fill a significant gap in the availability 
of imaging efficiency measures at the hospital outpatient facility 
level and are a seminal step in the promotion of more efficient imaging 
services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
    This listening session will be hosted to solicit input from 
professionals and other interested parties on the development of 
additional imaging efficiency measures for the HOP QDRP program. 
Potential topics for consideration will include:
     Other imaging procedures that would be appropriate 
candidates for imaging efficiency measures;
     Data sources appropriate for imaging efficiency measures, 
e.g. claims data, chart abstracted data, EHRs, use of registries, etc.;
     Other settings appropriate for imaging efficiency 
measures, in addition to outpatient hospitals; and
     Development of imaging measures using a diagnosis or 
condition based approach versus measures developed using a procedure 
specific basis.

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    Relevant recommendations should include feedback on the integration 
of the imaging efficiency measures into the overall HOP QDRP program.

II. Listening Session Format

    The listening session will be held on January 31, 2011. Measure 
developers, hospitals, medical specialty societies, medical 
professionals, and other interested stakeholders are invited to 
participate in person or by teleconference. The session will begin at 1 
p.m. E.S.T. with an overview of objectives for the session. The 
remainder of the meeting will be devoted to receiving input on 
additional imaging efficiency measures and their integration into the 
overall HOP QDRP program. The meeting will conclude by 5 p.m. E.S.T.
    Participants will be permitted to speak in the order in which they 
sign up. Participants are encouraged to provide references to the 
evidence base supporting their suggested measures. Comments from 
individuals not registered to speak will be heard after scheduled 
statements only if time permits.

III. Registration Instructions

    For security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting 
must register by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. 
Persons interested in attending the meeting must register by completing 
the on-line registration via the designated Web site http://www.cms.gov/apps/events/event.asp?id=622.
    The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page 
to indicate the completion of your registration. Please print this page 
as your registration receipt.
    Individuals may also participate in the listening session by 
teleconference. For individuals interested in participating via 
teleconference, registration is available via the Web site at https://www.magnetmail.net/events?cf4db6967a514fb681832e700ee3e5b0a. 
Registration is required as the number of call-in lines will be 
limited.
    Background information on the listening session will be posted on 
the QualityNet Web site at http://www.qualitynet.org prior to the 
session. The information will be posted under the tab for ``Hospitals 
Outpatient,'' then select ``Imaging Efficiency Measures'' from the 
drop-down menu. We anticipate posting an audio download and/or 
transcript of the listening session in the same location on http://www.qualitynet.org after completion of the listening session.
    Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special 
accommodations must contact the staff via the contact information 
specified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice 
by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. The on-site check-
in for visitors will begin at 12 noon E.S.T. We recommend that 
confirmed registrants arrive reasonably early, but no earlier than 45 
minutes prior to the start of the meeting, to allow additional time to 
clear security. Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Inspection of vehicle's interior and exterior (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Inspection, via metal detector or other applicable means, 
of all persons entering the building. We note that all items brought 
into CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of presentation or to 
support a presentation, including items such as laptops, cell phones, 
and palm pilots, are subject to physical inspection. We cannot assume 
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, 
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings 
or items used for a presentation.
    We note that individuals who are not registered in advance will not 
be permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 60 minutes 
prior to the convening of the meeting.
    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: November 18, 2010.
Donald M. Berwick,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-29995 Filed 11-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P