General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 6
PHYSICIAN NOTES: New Quality Measures Adapt To EMRs, Include Cost Of Care
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Article Overview
This article summarizes several healthcare policy and industry developments relevant to physicians, quality reporting, and payer oversight. It focuses on proposed NCQA quality measures and technical specifications, CMS coverage determination activity, a legal challenge involving access to investigational drugs, federal testimony about prescription drug fraud, and a vendor announcement about physician contact data. The piece is useful for readers tracking quality measurement programs, Medicare coverage issues, oncology policy, and healthcare compliance news.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps physicians, coders, compliance staff, and healthcare administrators monitor policy and industry changes that may affect quality reporting, coverage comment periods, drug access discussions, and regulatory scrutiny.
Article Sections
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Quality measurement proposal from NCQA
Covers an expanded set of physician practice quality measures, related technical specifications, and comment opportunities tied to quality assessment programs.
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Drug access litigation and amicus briefs
Summarizes a court-related dispute involving patient access to investigational drugs and the positions of oncology and survivorship organizations.
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CMS proposed coverage determination
Discusses a proposed Medicare coverage decision and the public comment process for a treatment used in a chronic condition.
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Prescription drug fraud testimony
Notes federal testimony addressing different forms of prescription drug fraud and related regulatory concerns.
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Physician email database announcement
Describes a vendor announcement about a large physician email directory aimed at healthcare-related industries.
What You Will Learn
- What categories of quality measures and specifications NCQA is proposing
- How public comment opportunities are presented for healthcare policy decisions
- What types of legal and regulatory issues are being discussed in relation to drug access and fraud
- What kinds of healthcare market data products are being promoted to industry buyers
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Medical coders
- Compliance professionals
- Healthcare administrators
- Practice managers
- Quality reporting staff
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