Applied Research Studies Projects

Development of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Monitoring Methods    

IMPAQ is collaborating with CMS on a broad effort to review and analyze the CMS’ Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) programs for approaches to monitor sponsors and to develop monitoring methods for selected approaches.  The methods and measures selected within this contract will monitor the administration of more than 630 contracts with MA-PD/Cost Plan sponsors and 89 contracts with PDP sponsors for CY2010.  There are several primary tasks/areas for analysis in the project which include:

• Providing a Part C and Part D monitoring gap analysis
• Developing a sustainable monitoring method and measures of administrative function for Part C and Part D Sponsors
• Developing a sustainable monitoring method and measures that ensure that marketing materials and beneficiary communications are available to beneficiaries in the required languages consistent with the CMS Marketing Guidelines
• Developing a sustainable monitoring method and measures to help ensure beneficiary provider access in the Part C program
• Developing a sustainable monitoring method and measures of benefits and out of pocket coverage for Part C benefits.

A critical component of each task is “knowledge transfer” regarding all datasets and documented procedures and programs. 

Part C and D Complaints Resolution Performance Measure

Following on previous work developed by IMPAQ for CMS, we will develop and support implementation of a performance measurement for the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) program that validates plan resolution of beneficiary complaints closed by plans from the unique perspective of the beneficiaries themselves. CMS expects to publish a performance metrics using this data in November 2011. Key activities include analysis of administrative data, a beneficiary survey, and measure development.

Evaluation of the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Program

Medicare Part D Report Card

National Balancing Indicator Contractor

Data Review and Guidance Development for Medicare Special Needs Plans and a Quality Improvement Program for Medicare Advantage

In this task order, IMPAQ is reviewing and evaluating data currently collected by CMS through its oversight activities for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) and is helping CMS develop policy guidance on quality oversight and improvement for these programs.  The task order will increase CMS’s ability to understand quality improvement and care coordination strategies currently being undertaken by MA plans, particularly the Quality Improvement Program (QIP) and Chronic Care Improvement Program (CCIP), and to provide guidance to plans on best practices. Among the set of deliverables is a framework upon which CMS guidance under the MA QIP and CCIP authority will be updated.  The specific tasks include:

• Evaluation and review of audit data to assure appropriate enrollment in Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs);
• Review and analyze SNP audit data and performance data (e.g. member satisfaction, health status, clinical outcomes);
• Assist with the development of manual chapters on SNP issues and SNP specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); and
• Data analysis, reporting, trending, and identifying quality improvement processes across the Medicare Advantage program.

In the task order, we will also establish and test a pilot project using beneficiary encounter data for MA and SNP program evaluation and monitoring and identify Value Based Purchasing best practices and strategy recommendations for MA plans. 

National Business Group on Health’s Purchaser's Guide Evaluation: 

Feasibility and Methodology Study

• Refinement of an existing conceptual framework on the impact and effects of the use of the Guide on health and productivity outcomes
• The development of research questions and the identification of potential data sources to address them§          Development of an evaluation design and methodology.
• The conduct of a pilot test for data acquisition and analysis to address selected research questions.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Services

• Conducting a comprehensive environmental scan of the research literature related to evidence-based services and supports available to individuals with ASDs
• Performing an assessment of the services currently being provided by nine states to individuals with ASDs
• Designing model programs of services and supports for children, transitioning youth, and adults with ASDs, including methods for measuring related processes and outcomes
• Developing and implementing a web-based ASDs information portal.