Tag: #NCQA

Posted in HEDIS Measures, Training, Updates

HEDIS Measure: Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/Adolescents (WCC)

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

HEDIS is always a hot topic of discussion. In this blog post we will discuss the HEDIS measure WCC or Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/Adolescents.

Background/Research Data:

The research analyzed doctor visits pre-pandemic then during the pandemic period and the increases were dramatic. Overall obesity increased from 13.7% to 15.4%. Increases observed ranged from 1% in children aged 13 to 17 years to 2.6% for those aged 5 to 9 years.

The purpose of this HEDIS Measure:

This HEDIS measure looks at the percentage of patients between the 3-17 years of age, who had an outpatient visit with a PCP or OB/GYN and have documented evidence for all the following during the measurement year:

  • Body mass index (BMI) percentile (percentage, not value)
  • Counseling for nutrition
  • Counseling for physical activity

This HEDIS Measure (WCC) requires the following documentation:

  • When counseling for nutrition, document current nutritional behavior, such as meal patterns, eating and diet habits, and weight counseling.
  • When counseling for physical activity, document current physical activity behavior, such as exercise routine, participation in sports activities, bike riding and play groups.
  • Handouts about nutrition and physical activity also count toward meeting this HEDIS measure when documented in the member’s health record.

Telehealth, virtual check-in, and telephone visits all meet the criteria for nutrition and physical activity counseling. Counseling does not need to take place only during a well-visit, WCC can also be completed during sick visits. Documenting guidance in your patient’s records is key.

Source: Progress on Childhood Obesity | VitalSigns | CDC

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Posted in BCBS Empire NY, Training, Updates

BCBS (NY): Proper coding for INR In-home patient monitoring

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

This following policy is part of BCBS (NY) administrative policy guidelines (07/01/2021)

This blog post is for providers that need to meet the INR (in-home) monitoring quality measure.

What you will learn?

  1. What is INR monitoring Quality measure?
  2. Proper coding for in-home INR monitoring
  3. Documentation requirements to meet the INR in home monitoring measure

What is INR (International normalized ratio)?:

International normalized ratio (INR) is blood-clotting test. It is a test used to measure how quickly your blood forms a clot, compared with normal clotting time.

Background:

International normalized ratio is part of the 2021 Quality Measure Set (Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measures.

The QRS measure set is comprised of clinical quality measures, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures and Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measures.

Previously, patients taking warfarin (brand name Coumadin) were heading off to the lab or clinic every few weeks for an international normalized ratio (INR) blood test. However, currently there is a small, portable device that patients on warfarin, can now self-test with a finger prick drop of blood.

Is there a provider type restriction for this quality Measure?

No, there is not provider type restriction.

As a provider, which proper codes should I use for INR in-home patient monitoring?

Below please see the proper codes that providers should use for INR in-home patient monitoring.

Meeting INR monitoring Quality Measure:

Definition: The percentage of members 18 years of age and older who had at least one 56-day interval of warfarin therapy and who received at least one international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring test during each 56-day interval with active warfarin therapy.

INR quality measure requirements.

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Posted in HEDIS Measures, Training, Updates

BCBS Empire NY Medicaid: Summary of changes for HEDIS Measures from NCQA (2020/2021)

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

Source: Empire Health Plus Plan (NY Managed Medicaid Plan)

Revised measures:

  • The former Well-Child Visits in the First 15 Months of Life (W15) measure was revised to Well‑Child Visits in the First 30 Months of Life (W30). It includes two indicators:
    • Well-child visits in the first 15 months — children who turned 15 months during the measurement year with six or more well-child visits
  • Well-child visits for ages 15 to 30 months — children who turn 30 months during the measurement year with two or more well-child visits
  • The former Well-Child Visits in the Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Years of Life (W34) and Adolescent Well-Care Visits (AWC) measures have been combined into Child and Adolescent Well-Care Visits (WCV):
    • The percentage of members 3 to 21 years of age who had at least one comprehensive well-care visit with a PCP or an OB/GYN practitioner during the measurement year

Key measure changes:

  • Controlling High Blood Pressure (CBP and CDC-CBP)
    Telephone visits, e-visits and virtual check-ins are now acceptable settings for blood pressure (BP) readings. Digital BP readings reported by the member are considered numerator compliant.
  • Telehealth updates
    NCQA has updated telehealth guidance in 40 HEDIS® measures for HEDIS measurement years 2020 and 2021. The purpose of these changes is to:
    • Support increased use of telehealth caused by the pandemic.
    • Align with guidance from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other stakeholders.