CMS Expands Scope of Superior Health Quality Alliance’s Work
Superior Health Quality Alliance, a coalition of eight Midwest healthcare quality improvement organizations, has been awarded a 13th Scope of Work by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As a Quality Innovation Network–Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), Superior Health will now support Medicare providers across 14 states and two U.S. territories through a new five-year contract.
Superior Health Quality Alliance is comprised of eight member organizations: the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, MetaStar, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Midwest Kidney Network, Minnesota Hospital Association, iMPROve Health, Stratis Health and the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
According to CMS, QIN-QIOs bring Medicare beneficiaries, providers, and communities together in data-driven initiatives that increase patient safety, make communities healthier, better coordinate post-hospital care, and improve clinical quality. QIN-QIOs create opportunities for providers to learn from each other, applying advanced improvement and analytical methods, engaging patients and families, and structuring processes for sustaining positive change.
In the last five years, Superior Health says it has:
• Avoided more than 270,000 harms;
• Reduced hospital readmissions by 21%; and
• Delivered more than $1 billion in measurable value.
Superior Health will provide no-cost technical assistance to eligible providers, including support for chronic disease management, behavioral health integration, patient safety, care coordination and health equity — all aligned with CMS national goals.
QIN-QIOs usually serve regions of two to six states, which means best practices for better care spread more quickly, while still accommodating local conditions and cultural factors.
The award represents both a continuation and a significant expansion of Superior Health's mission to improve healthcare quality, safety and equity for Medicare beneficiaries. Superior Health will partner with Qsource in the Great Lakes Region to advance quality improvement initiatives in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. In the Northeast Region, Superior Health will partner with Quality Insights to lead work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"This is a pivotal moment for our alliance," said Tania Daniels, CEO of Superior Health, in a statement. "CMS's decision recognizes our proven ability to deliver results and build trusted relationships across care settings. We are honored to extend our support to even more providers and communities."
