42 U.S.C. § 1395aaa–1 (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 1395aaa–1. Quality and efficiency measurement
(a) Multi-stakeholder group input into selection of quality and efficiency measures
The Secretary shall establish a pre-rulemaking process under which the following steps occur with respect to the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title:
(1) Input
Pursuant to section 1395aaa(b)(7) of this title, the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa of this title shall convene multi-stakeholder groups to provide input to the Secretary on the selection of quality and efficiency measures described in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph.
(2) Public availability of measures considered for selection
Not later than December 1 of each year (beginning with 2011), the Secretary shall make available to the public a list of quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title that the Secretary is considering under this subchapter.
(3) Transmission of multi-stakeholder input
Pursuant to section 1395aaa(b)(8) of this title, not later than February 1 of each year (beginning with 2012), the entity shall transmit to the Secretary the input of multi-stakeholder groups described in paragraph (1).
(4) Consideration of multi-stakeholder input
The Secretary shall take into consideration the input from multi-stakeholder groups described in paragraph (1) in selecting quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title that have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa of this title and measures that have not been endorsed by such entity.
(5) Rationale for use of quality and efficiency measures
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the rationale for the use of any quality and efficiency measure described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title that has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa of this title.
(6) Assessment of impact
Not later than March 1, 2012, and at least once every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall—
(A) conduct an assessment of the quality and efficiency impact of the use of endorsed measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title; and
(B) make such assessment available to the public.
(b) Process for dissemination of measures used by the Secretary
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process for disseminating quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary. Such process shall include the following:
(A) The incorporation of such measures, where applicable, in workforce programs, training curricula, and any other means of dissemination determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) The dissemination of such quality and efficiency measures through the national strategy developed under section 280j of this title.
(2) Existing methods
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize and expand existing dissemination methods in disseminating quality and efficiency measures under the process established under paragraph (1).
(c) Review of quality and efficiency measures used by the Secretary
(1) In general
The Secretary shall—
(A) periodically (but in no case less often than once every 3 years) review quality and efficiency measures described in section 1395aaa(b)(7)(B) of this title; and
(B) with respect to each such measure, determine whether to—
(i) maintain the use of such measure; or
(ii) phase out such measure.
(2) Considerations
In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take steps to—
(A) seek to avoid duplication of measures used; and
(B) take into consideration current innovative methodologies and strategies for quality and efficiency improvement practices in the delivery of health care services that represent best practices for such quality and efficiency improvement and measures endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa of this title since the previous review by the Secretary.
(d) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall preclude a State from using the quality and efficiency measures identified under sections 1320b–9a and 1320b–9b of this title.
(e) Development of quality and efficiency measures
The Administrator of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall through contracts develop quality and efficiency measures (as determined appropriate by the Administrator) for use under this chapter. In developing such measures, the Administrator shall consult with the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
(f) Hospital acquired conditions
The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, publicly report on measures for hospital-acquired conditions that are currently utilized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the adjustment of the amount of payment to hospitals based on rates of hospital-acquired infections.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1890A, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3013(b), 3014(b), title X, §§ 10303(b), 10304, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 383, 385, 938.)
heading: Amendments
text: 2010—Pub. L. 111–148, § 10304, substituted “quality and efficiency” for “quality” wherever appearing in text.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–148, § 3013(b), added subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–148, § 10303(b), added subsec. (f).