In This Week’s Issue:
1. PIPC: Oncology Roundtable Summary and Recommendations, click here to view the summary.
2. LAN Seeks Input on Alternative Payment Models, Call Nov. 13, click here for additional information on the paper.
3. Researchers Say Their Path To Better Health Starts With Patients' Input, click here to view the article.
4. National Health Council to Join HHS Forum on Drug Costs on Nov. 20, see details below.
5. LAN Webinar on Population-Based Payment Models on Nov. 10, click here to register for the webinar.
6. NQF Seeks Nominations, Comments on Person- and Family-Centered Care, click here and here for details.
7. Patients Guide Research to Combat Diabetes, click here to view the post.
1. PIPC: Oncology Roundtable Summary and Recommendations, click here to view the summary.
2. LAN Seeks Input on Alternative Payment Models, Call Nov. 13, click here for additional information on the paper.
3. Researchers Say Their Path To Better Health Starts With Patients' Input, click here to view the article.
4. National Health Council to Join HHS Forum on Drug Costs on Nov. 20, see details below.
5. LAN Webinar on Population-Based Payment Models on Nov. 10, click here to register for the webinar.
6. NQF Seeks Nominations, Comments on Person- and Family-Centered Care, click here and here for details.
7. Patients Guide Research to Combat Diabetes, click here to view the post.
1. PIPC: Oncology Roundtable Summary and Recommendations
The Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC) and the Cancer Support Community (CSC) convened a roundtable on July 8, 2015 on “Patient-Driven Health Care and Evidence in Oncology: Setting an Agenda.” The roundtable participants represented patient organizations serving cancer patients, as well as a representative from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Roundtable participants discussed the outcomes that matter to oncology patients and policies that would support high-quality, patient-driven cancer care.
As a result of the roundtable, the group developed consensus around a series of recommendations for policymakers, researchers and payers. The summary below refers to policymakers in the context of those working in federal government to influence health care policies, Members of Congress and their staff, agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), particularly the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), entities acting in an advisory capacity such as the National Quality Forum (NQF), and contractors hired to implement health care programs, particularly payers contracting with CMS as alternative payment models (APMs).
The roundtable served as a call to action for patient organizations to determine a guiding set of principles for the cancer patient communities that they represent, reflecting their priorities for public policy as the healthcare system shifts away from a fee-for-service (FFS) model to APMs that reward providers based on their ability to achieve “value.” It was agreed that the calculus used by some organizations to define “value” does not necessarily represent value to a patient. Therefore, it is vital for patients to come together around a core set of policy recommendations that will better achieve outcomes that matter to patients.
The full roundtable summary, including the policy recommendations advanced by the panel, is available here.
2. LAN Seeks Input From Patients and Consumers on White Paper, Call Nov. 13
The Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) APM Framework and Progress Tracking Work Group recently released a draft framework white paper that defines payment model categories and will be used to benchmark efforts to advance meaningful payment reform across the U.S. health system. According to the LAN, “the paper describes the approach the group used to develop the proposed framework and differentiates current payment model categories. We would like consumer and patient organizations and individuals to provide input to this important text that could strengthen its value to consumers and patients. We are especially interested in hearing your views about how APMs can be developed to promote care which best meets the needs and interests of consumers and patients. Your feedback will be used to help refine the final product, which is targeted for release later this year. Input can be given in two ways. First, there will be a conference call/listening session on Friday, November 13, at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST. The call will begin with a brief update on the LAN and the CPAG and their activities to date. Then, Jim Guest, a member of the APM work group who formerly was President and CEO of Consumer Reports, will present a short overview of the draft APM Framework paper and invite questions and comments.”
November 13 10:00am-11:00am Call 703-983-2020, conference ID # 9755049. The APM FPT Work Group will be collecting feedback:
via the LAN Learnings webinar Tuesday, November 10th; online through a discussion forum on Handshake; and by email directly to PaymentNetwork@MITRE.org.Click here to view the white paper. Comments are due November 20, 2015.
3. Researchers Say Their Path To Better Health Starts With Patients' Input
As Guy Gugliotta reports in Kaiser Health News, “The key feature of comparative effectiveness research, no matter how it is conducted, is to ‘improve patient care,’ [Russell L. Rothman, a primary care physician and leader of the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network] said. ‘Clinical trials typically test the effects of drugs against a placebo, while comparative effectiveness research compares one standard treatment to another in a real world situation to see what works better. We're taking the next step.’” Click here to view the article.
4. National Health Council to Join HHS Forum on Drug Costs on Nov. 20
The Department of Health and Human Services is asking stakeholders to share information on how to address the complex problem of balancing the need for new, innovative treatments with the growing cost of drugs. A forum on November 20 will bring together patients and consumers, providers, employers, manufacturers, health insurance companies, representatives from state and federal government, and other stakeholders to share information and discuss ideas to increase access to information, drive innovation, strengthen incentives and promote competition. The National Health Council has been invited to present its views on the significant challenges for patients and providers accessing drugs and to discuss opportunities to increase access and affordability, and reward quality of care that drives increased value.
Send an email to hhspharmforum@mitre.org to request an invitation to the November 20 forum.
5. LAN Webinar on Population-Based Payment Models on Nov. 10
On Tuesday, November 10, the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) will hold a webinar on Population-Based Payment Models from 1:00-2:15pm ET. According to the LAN, “Since the last LAN webinar, the Guiding Committee continues to work at a rapid pace. During this webinar, Guiding Committee member Elizabeth Mitchell will share key updates about the two newest work groups as well as highlights from the October 26 LAN Summit. On this webinar Elizabeth will also moderate a panel presenting an overview of population-based payment models. Panelists include Robert McConville sharing how Intermountain has worked to align provider financial incentives and David Muhlestein of Leavitt Partners discussing how different providers are engaging and succeeding in APMs.” Click here to register for the webinar.
6. NQF Seeks Nominations, Comments on Person- and Family-Centered Care
The National Quality Forum (NQF) is accepting nominations for its workgroups including a group on Person- and Family-Centered Care through March 11, 2016. NQF is also accepting comments on various reports and on measures, including measures related to person- and family-centered care. Click here and here for details.
7. Patients Guide Research to Combat Diabetes
As journalist Miriam E. Tucker writes in a guest post on The PCORI Blog, “[W]hen researchers study what works and what doesn't in diabetes, they must address patient-centered factors that may impede adoption of even the best that medicine has to offer. The only way to identify those factors is to ask—and involve patients in designing studies. That's why PCORI's patient-centered model for conducting research is so crucial in studying diabetes. After all, we patients are our own ‘primary care providers.’” Click here to view the post.
The Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC) and the Cancer Support Community (CSC) convened a roundtable on July 8, 2015 on “Patient-Driven Health Care and Evidence in Oncology: Setting an Agenda.” The roundtable participants represented patient organizations serving cancer patients, as well as a representative from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Roundtable participants discussed the outcomes that matter to oncology patients and policies that would support high-quality, patient-driven cancer care.
As a result of the roundtable, the group developed consensus around a series of recommendations for policymakers, researchers and payers. The summary below refers to policymakers in the context of those working in federal government to influence health care policies, Members of Congress and their staff, agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), particularly the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), entities acting in an advisory capacity such as the National Quality Forum (NQF), and contractors hired to implement health care programs, particularly payers contracting with CMS as alternative payment models (APMs).
The roundtable served as a call to action for patient organizations to determine a guiding set of principles for the cancer patient communities that they represent, reflecting their priorities for public policy as the healthcare system shifts away from a fee-for-service (FFS) model to APMs that reward providers based on their ability to achieve “value.” It was agreed that the calculus used by some organizations to define “value” does not necessarily represent value to a patient. Therefore, it is vital for patients to come together around a core set of policy recommendations that will better achieve outcomes that matter to patients.
The full roundtable summary, including the policy recommendations advanced by the panel, is available here.
2. LAN Seeks Input From Patients and Consumers on White Paper, Call Nov. 13
The Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) APM Framework and Progress Tracking Work Group recently released a draft framework white paper that defines payment model categories and will be used to benchmark efforts to advance meaningful payment reform across the U.S. health system. According to the LAN, “the paper describes the approach the group used to develop the proposed framework and differentiates current payment model categories. We would like consumer and patient organizations and individuals to provide input to this important text that could strengthen its value to consumers and patients. We are especially interested in hearing your views about how APMs can be developed to promote care which best meets the needs and interests of consumers and patients. Your feedback will be used to help refine the final product, which is targeted for release later this year. Input can be given in two ways. First, there will be a conference call/listening session on Friday, November 13, at 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. EST. The call will begin with a brief update on the LAN and the CPAG and their activities to date. Then, Jim Guest, a member of the APM work group who formerly was President and CEO of Consumer Reports, will present a short overview of the draft APM Framework paper and invite questions and comments.”
November 13 10:00am-11:00am Call 703-983-2020, conference ID # 9755049. The APM FPT Work Group will be collecting feedback:
via the LAN Learnings webinar Tuesday, November 10th; online through a discussion forum on Handshake; and by email directly to PaymentNetwork@MITRE.org.Click here to view the white paper. Comments are due November 20, 2015.
3. Researchers Say Their Path To Better Health Starts With Patients' Input
As Guy Gugliotta reports in Kaiser Health News, “The key feature of comparative effectiveness research, no matter how it is conducted, is to ‘improve patient care,’ [Russell L. Rothman, a primary care physician and leader of the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network] said. ‘Clinical trials typically test the effects of drugs against a placebo, while comparative effectiveness research compares one standard treatment to another in a real world situation to see what works better. We're taking the next step.’” Click here to view the article.
4. National Health Council to Join HHS Forum on Drug Costs on Nov. 20
The Department of Health and Human Services is asking stakeholders to share information on how to address the complex problem of balancing the need for new, innovative treatments with the growing cost of drugs. A forum on November 20 will bring together patients and consumers, providers, employers, manufacturers, health insurance companies, representatives from state and federal government, and other stakeholders to share information and discuss ideas to increase access to information, drive innovation, strengthen incentives and promote competition. The National Health Council has been invited to present its views on the significant challenges for patients and providers accessing drugs and to discuss opportunities to increase access and affordability, and reward quality of care that drives increased value.
Send an email to hhspharmforum@mitre.org to request an invitation to the November 20 forum.
5. LAN Webinar on Population-Based Payment Models on Nov. 10
On Tuesday, November 10, the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (LAN) will hold a webinar on Population-Based Payment Models from 1:00-2:15pm ET. According to the LAN, “Since the last LAN webinar, the Guiding Committee continues to work at a rapid pace. During this webinar, Guiding Committee member Elizabeth Mitchell will share key updates about the two newest work groups as well as highlights from the October 26 LAN Summit. On this webinar Elizabeth will also moderate a panel presenting an overview of population-based payment models. Panelists include Robert McConville sharing how Intermountain has worked to align provider financial incentives and David Muhlestein of Leavitt Partners discussing how different providers are engaging and succeeding in APMs.” Click here to register for the webinar.
6. NQF Seeks Nominations, Comments on Person- and Family-Centered Care
The National Quality Forum (NQF) is accepting nominations for its workgroups including a group on Person- and Family-Centered Care through March 11, 2016. NQF is also accepting comments on various reports and on measures, including measures related to person- and family-centered care. Click here and here for details.
7. Patients Guide Research to Combat Diabetes
As journalist Miriam E. Tucker writes in a guest post on The PCORI Blog, “[W]hen researchers study what works and what doesn't in diabetes, they must address patient-centered factors that may impede adoption of even the best that medicine has to offer. The only way to identify those factors is to ask—and involve patients in designing studies. That's why PCORI's patient-centered model for conducting research is so crucial in studying diabetes. After all, we patients are our own ‘primary care providers.’” Click here to view the post.