The cost of healthcare in the United States has steadily increased and has now reached crisis proportions. The federal government has launched a number of initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of healthcare services. The initiatives were formalized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Internal Medicine of Milford, P.C. embarked on conversion to electronic medical records in 2007, having recognized the need for healthcare reform long before our government decided to take action. Today, we have realized the efficiencies offered by electronic medical records. In 2009, our providers were recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivering high-quality care to our patients with diabetes and heart disease. NCQA is known in the healthcare industry for having developed healthcare quality and cost benchmarking systems such as HEDIS.
NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program (DRP)
Diabetes affects an estimated 23.6 million Americans. Complications from diabetes include heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, and kidney disease.
The NCQA Diabetes Recognition Program benchmarks providers that care for patients with diabetes and recognizes those that provide high-quality care. The DRP program looks at the following measures critical to patients with this serious condition:
- Hemoglobin A1C control
- Blood pressure control
- Cholesterol control
- Regular eye exams
- Smoking status and cessation advice or treatment
- Regular foot exams
- Proper kidney function
More information about NCQA and the DRP can be found here.
NCQA Heart/Stroke Recognition Program (HSRP)
Cardiovascular disease affects over 70 million Americans and accounts for $393.5 billion in annual costs. About 700,000 people will have a stroke this year, making it the nation’s number 3 killer and a leading cause of long-term disability.
The NCQA Heart/Stroke Recognition Program provides that care for patients with cardiovascular disease and recognizes those who provide high-quality care. The HSRP program looks at the following measures critical to patients with this serious condition:
- Blood pressure control
- Cholesterol control
- Use of aspirin or other antithrombotic
- Smoking status and cessation advice or treatment
More information about NCQA and the DRP can be found here.