MAP is a public-private partnership that reviews performance measures for potential use in federal public reporting and performance-based payment programs, while working to align measures being used in public- and private-sector programs. MAP is the first group of its kind to provide upstream, pre-rulemaking input to the federal government on the selection of measures.
Background
The Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) is a public-private partnership convened by the National Quality Forum (NQF). MAP was created to provide input to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the selection of performance measures for public reporting and performance-based payment programs. NQF was selected by HHS to fulfill a statutory requirement to convene multi-stakeholder groups to:
- Identify the best available performance measures for use in specific applications.
- Provide input to HHS on measures for use in public reporting, performance-based payment, and other programs.
- Encourage alignment of public- and private-sector performance measurement efforts.
In convening MAP, NQF brings together stakeholder groups in a unique collaboration that balances the interests of consumers, businesses and purchasers, labor, health plans, clinicians and providers, communities and states, and suppliers.
MAP operates in a thoroughly transparent manner, broadcasting meetings, posting content on the Web, and soliciting and responding to public comments.
MAP Pre-Rulemaking
MAP's has submitted the MAP Pre-Rulemaking Report: 2013 Recommendations on Measures Under Consideration by HHS. On November 30, 2012, MAP received from HHS a list of more than 500 measures under consideration for potential use in federal rulemaking for MAP to review and provide input on. This review cycle represented the second time the federal government has looked to MAP, a public-private partnership, to advise on the selection of measures for use in a variety of public reporting and performance-based payment programs.
Over the course of the review process, MAP continued to promote alignment across HHS programs and with private sector efforts, incorporate measure use and performance information into MAP decision-making, provide more specific recommendations about the best use of available measures and measure gaps, and expand the number of programs MAP considers. This was accomplished by building on MAP's prior recommendations, utilizing the MAP Measure Selection Criteria, evaluating potential value of new measures to program measure sets, and identifying high priority measure gaps for programs and settings.
Learn more about the MAP pre-rulemaking process.
MAP Reports
In October, MAP submitted to HHS a three-year strategic plan that spans through 2015, outlining goals and objectives for the partnership, along with deliberate approaches to achieve them over time. MAP has also submitted the 2012 MAP Families of Measures Report, presenting a new way of thinking about and organizing measures for use.
As part of a series of reports, MAP previously considered issues related to coordination of performance measurement for care provided to those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, care provided in cancer hospitals exempt from Medicare's prospective payment system, and hospice and palliative care, as well as for clinicians, post-acute and long-term care, and patient safety. In addition to the performance measurement coordination reports, MAP issued a first annual pre-rulemaking analysis of measures under consideration by HHS for use in federal programs.
Learn more about MAP's work and access the reports.
MAP's Structure
MAP operates through a two-tiered structure. Guided by the priorities and goals of HHS's National Quality Strategy, the MAP Coordinating Committee provides direction and direct input to HHS. MAP's workgroups advise the Coordinating Committee on measures needed for specific care settings, care providers, and patient populations. Time-limited task forces charged with developing "families of measures"—related measures that cross settings and populations— provide further information to the MAP Coordinating Committee and workgroups. Each multi-stakeholder group includes individuals with content expertise and organizations particularly affected by the work.
MAP operates in a thoroughly transparent manner, broadcasting meetings, posting content on the Web, and soliciting and responding to public comments.
Questions about MAP? Learn more about MAP, its structure, and its significance from the MAP FAQs. You may also contact Allison Ludwig, Project Manager, at 202-783-1300 or measureapplications@qualityforum.org.
