CMO Corner: Lawrence Magras, MD, MBA, FHM, FAAPL
Thank you for your dedication in caring for our HUSKY Health members. We are committed to ensuring you have everything you need to stay current with quality improvement projects, program enhancements, technology upgrades, and other news. Here are some recent updates...
Immunization for Adolescents Quality Improvement Project
Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc.® (CHNCT) implemented a quality improvement project focused on improving the vaccine rates of adolescent HUSKY Health members. Despite the many benefits that immunizations provide, there are still many barriers surrounding adolescent immunizations that need to be addressed. . . read more
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®)1 Immunizations for Adolescent (IMA) measure will be the benchmark to assess the number of adolescents who have had one dose of the meningococcal vaccine, one Tdap vaccine, and the complete HPV vaccine series by their 13th birthday.2
A direct member mailing and access to vaccine information will aim to improve member outcomes by addressing common barriers, such as vaccine hesitancy, as well as by strengthening educational initiatives to increase compliance with recommended immunizations.
In addition, a provider survey will be conducted to identify barriers and challenges experienced by providers/practices. A toolkit will be available on the HUSKY Health provider website to share processes and strategies that have been successful in increasing adolescent immunization rates.
CHNCT is dedicated to improving immunization rates of adolescent HUSKY Health members. Recognizing that the risk for exposure to certain diseases and infections increases as adolescents age, this quality improvement project hopes to reach members to get recommended vaccines when they are most effective.3
1 HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
2 National Committee for Quality Assurance. (n.d.). Immunizations for Adolescents. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/immunizations-for-adolescents/
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Vaccines at 11 to 12 years. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-11-12.html
Member Race and Ethnicity Tools and Resources
CHNCT has remained dedicated to improving health equity and social barriers facing the HUSKY Health membership, including enhancement to provider tools and resources. Much of our reporting now includes race and ethnicity data. This information can help you enhance services offered to members, knowing that individuals of certain races and ethnicities are at a greater risk for chronic conditions. The HUSKY Health Secure Provider Portal provides your practice with a variety of reports on your HUSKY Health patients, including patient panel, gaps in care, admissions, ED utilization, and much more. . . read more
As a CMAP enrolled provider, you also have free access to CultureVision™ on the HUSKY Health Secure Provider Portal. CultureVision™ is the first comprehensive, user-friendly database used to provide healthcare professionals with access to culturally competent patient care.
To access patient panel reports and CultureVision™, you must first set up an account on the HUSKY Health Secure Provider Portal by visiting portal.ct.gov/husky, clicking “Information for Providers,” then “Provider Login.” Once you have an account, you will be able to request access to your reports and CultureVision™.
When you have a report available to view, you will be notified via email to log in to access the report.
To learn more about how to gain access to Provider Portal Reports, click here.
In addition to the portal reports and the CultureVision™ tool, CHNCT employs Clinical Practice Transformation Specialists (CPTS) to work with all CMAP practices on Quality Improvement (QI) activities and support and guide practices enrolled in the DSS Person-Centered Medical Home program. In 2022, CHNCT created a practice performance dashboard that is referenced during QI meetings with the practices to share current year-to-date rates on specific quality measures that the practice is working on. This dashboard was also enhanced with the ability to filter by race and ethnicity. If you are interested in working with a CPTS team member on QI activities, please contact the QM Team Lead, PCMH Program Administrator at ldemeyer@chnct.org.
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Survey
The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®)1 survey is a tool used to assess the members’ perception of the care they received by their providers and health plan. The CAHPS® program is overseen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and administered by The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). . . read more
NCQA includes the CAHPS® Health Plan Surveys in its annual Healthcare Effectiveness and Data Information Set (HEDIS®); acknowledging that member experience affects care outcomes, which is a critical component of healthcare quality and equity.
In January 2024, a random sample of HUSKY Health members was selected by the NCQA certified CAHPS® vendor to receive the CAHPS® Health Plan Survey 5.1H, Adult Questionnaire (Medicaid) and the CAHPS® Health Plan Survey 5.1H, Child Questionnaire (Without CCC Measure). CHNCT and DSS review the survey results annually to enhance the HUSKY Health program. Representation from diversified populations promotes a comprehensive evaluation of the responses received, allowing us to identify opportunities that promote quality healthcare that is equitable for all members. Please encourage your HUSKY Health patients to complete the survey if they were selected.
1 CAHPS® is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
New HEDIS® MY 2024 Social Need Screening and Intervention (SNS-E) Measure and Coding
It is widely acknowledged that Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) directly influence a person’s health status. SDOH include factors such as income, education, employment, housing, transportation, race, and gender, which are influenced by the distribution of money, power, and resources.1. . . read more
Addressing SDOH needs is fundamental for improving health and reducing inequities. SDOH can affect the health and quality of life of your patients. By identifying and addressing these barriers, either directly or through timely referrals, you can help improve their health outcomes. In 2024, NCQA implemented the HEDIS® MY 2024, Social Need Screening and Intervention (SNS-E). This new quality metric measures the percentage of members who are screened for unmet food, housing, and transportation needs, as well as those who receive an appropriate intervention should they screen positive. Telling the full patient story through claims allows for appropriate person-level interventions to be established and implemented. Additionally, data analysis at the population level can provide an understanding into gaps in care and lead to solutions that can improve health outcomes.
Please consider addressing these unmet needs during your encounters with HUSKY Health members. Tools and resources, including applicable codes for this new measure, can be found in the HEDIS® MY 2024 TIPS (To Improve Performance Sheet): Social Need Screening and Intervention (SNS-E) located on the HUSKY Health Secure Provider Portal.
1 World Health Organization. (2023). Social Determinants of Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
