S. 1947, The Continuing the Advancement of Quality Improvement Act of 2007

• This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.

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S. 1947 would amend title XI of the Social Security Act to improve the quality improvement organization (QIO) program.

Detailed Summary

Continuing the Advancement of Quality Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act to require any utilization and quality control peer review organization (also known as a Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)) entering into a contract with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to perform only the function of providing technical assistance for quality improvement and performance measurement to providers, practitioners, and Medicare Advantage organizations offering Medicare Advantage plans under part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII.

Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a transition plan for the transfer to Medicare provider review organizations (MPROs) of the all other current functions of QIOs.

Specifies requirements for an MPRO with responsibility for addressing beneficiary complaints.

Requires the Secretary to establish priorities for selection of technical assistance providers.

Authorizes a QIO and an MPRO to share individual-specific data obtained from another provider or practitioner with a provider or practitioner who is treating the individual, for quality improvement and patient safety purposes.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive review of the data-sharing systems, processes, and regulations of the Department of Health and Human Services in order to identify best practices and procedures, including abstraction of medical chart data.

Revises qualifications for QIOs.

Declares that funding for contracts for peer review of utilization and quality of health care services shall be used solely for providing technical assistance for quality improvement and performance measurement.

Revises requirements for annual reports to specified congressional committees on QIOs.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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