TITLE VI--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART B

Subtitle D--Additional Demonstrations, Studies, and Other Provisions

SEC. 649. MEDICARE CARE MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a pay-for-performance demonstration program with physicians to meet the needs of eligible beneficiaries through the adoption and use of health information technology and evidence-based outcomes measures for--

(A) promoting continuity of care;

(B) helping stabilize medical conditions;

(C) preventing or minimizing acute exacerbations of chronic conditions; and

(D) reducing adverse health outcomes, such as adverse drug interactions related to polypharmacy.

(2) SITES- The Secretary shall designate no more than 4 sites at which to conduct the demonstration program under this section, of which--

(A) two shall be in an urban area;

(B) one shall be in a rural area; and

(C) one shall be in a State with a medical school with a Department of Geriatrics that manages rural outreach sites and is capable of managing patients with multiple chronic conditions, one of which is dementia.

(3) DURATION- The Secretary shall conduct the demonstration program under this section for a 3-year period.

(4) CONSULTATION- In carrying out the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall consult with private sector and non-profit groups that are undertaking similar efforts to improve quality and reduce avoidable hospitalizations for chronically ill patients.

(b) PARTICIPATION-

(1) IN GENERAL- A physician who provides care for a minimum number of eligible beneficiaries (as specified by the Secretary) may participate in the demonstration program under this section if such physician agrees, to phase-in over the course of the 3-year demonstration period and with the assistance provided under subsection (d)(2)--

(A) the use of health information technology to manage the clinical care of eligible beneficiaries consistent with paragraph (3); and

(B) the electronic reporting of clinical quality and outcomes measures in accordance with requirements established by the Secretary under the demonstration program.

(2) SPECIAL RULE- In the case of the sites referred to in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(2), a physician who provides care for a minimum number of beneficiaries with two or more chronic conditions, including dementia (as specified by the Secretary), may participate in the program under this section if such physician agrees to the requirements in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).

(3) PRACTICE STANDARDS- Each physician participating in the demonstration program under this section must demonstrate the ability--

(A) to assess each eligible beneficiary for conditions other than chronic conditions, such as impaired cognitive ability and co-morbidities, for the purposes of developing care management requirements;

(B) to serve as the primary contact of eligible beneficiaries in accessing items and services for which payment may be made under the medicare program;

(C) to establish and maintain health care information system for such beneficiaries;

(D) to promote continuity of care across providers and settings;

(E) to use evidence-based guidelines and meet such clinical quality and outcome measures as the Secretary shall require;

(F) to promote self-care through the provision of patient education and support for patients or, where appropriate, family caregivers;

(G) when appropriate, to refer such beneficiaries to community service organizations; and

(H) to meet such other complex care management requirements as the Secretary may specify.

The guidelines and measures required under subparagraph (E) shall be designed to take into account beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.

(c) PAYMENT METHODOLOGY- Under the demonstration program under this section the Secretary shall pay a per beneficiary amount to each participating physician who meets or exceeds specific performance standards established by the Secretary with respect to the clinical quality and outcome measures reported under subsection (b)(1)(B). Such amount may vary based on different levels of performance or improvement.

(d) ADMINISTRATION-

(1) USE OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS- The Secretary shall contract with quality improvement organizations or such other entities as the Secretary deems appropriate to enroll physicians and evaluate their performance under the demonstration program under this section.

(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary shall require in such contracts that the contractor be responsible for technical assistance and education as needed to physicians enrolled in the demonstration program under this section for the purpose of aiding their adoption of health information technology, meeting practice standards, and implementing required clinical and outcomes measures.

(e) FUNDING-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide for the transfer from the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under section 1841 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395t) of such funds as are necessary for the costs of carrying out the demonstration program under this section.

(2) BUDGET NEUTRALITY- In conducting the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the aggregate payments made by the Secretary do not exceed the amount which the Secretary estimates would have been paid if the demonstration program under this section was not implemented.

(f) WAIVER AUTHORITY- The Secretary may waive such requirements of titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq. and 1395 et seq.) as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the demonstration program under this section.

(g) REPORT- Not later than 12 months after the date of completion of the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on such program, together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(h) DEFINITIONS- In this section:

(1) ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY- The term `eligible beneficiary' means any individual who--

(A) is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled for benefits under part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act and is not enrolled in a plan under part C of such title; and

(B) has one or more chronic medical conditions specified by the Secretary (one of which may be cognitive impairment).

(2) HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY- The term `health information technology' means email communication, clinical alerts and reminders, and other information technology that meets such functionality, interoperability, and other standards as prescribed by the Secretary.

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Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
Implementation Tracking System (MITS)