NQF: Why are standardized cost measures important? 

MB: These measures are important to health plans, employers, health care delivery systems and consumers. We developed our total cost of care measure to improve value and affordability. With it, we understand our own care system resource use and price performance, as well as the performance of care systems contracting with our health plans. This measure, together with quality measures, are a roadmap for care redesign and new payment approaches.

For employers and consumers, the total cost of care measure represents transparency and more informed decision-making. The measure is used to build tiered and high performing networks, and care system cost and quality information is available online. Consumers use this information to make choices by understanding costs that directly impact them through premiums and deductibles or cost sharing.

NQF: Why did HealthPartners pursue having the total cost of care measure endorsed by NQF? 

MB: NQF-endorsement of the measure showed that it had been rigorously tested, making it “industrial strength,” and contributing to its broad adoption. It led to its use in 29 states.

NQF: What is the motivation for allowing other organizations to license the use of this measure free of charge? What is in it for HealthPartners? 

MB: We hope to accelerate change, improvement and innovation by sharing it at no cost. By making the measure available free of charge there is broad and rapid adoption, more opportunity to compare performance, understand differences, and deliver value. Broader use makes measures useful and will improve care and affordability.