New resource for CT physicians on quality of care

eHealthCT together with a long list of partners is providing physicians with quality measures for their practices across payers through a new iniative, CT Health Quality Cooperative (CHQC). CHQC is the first of its kind tool in Connecticut and one of only a handful nationally to aggregate data across health plans and Medicare to provide physicians with a comprehensive set of data on eight quality measures for their practice in comparison to other physicians across the state. Partners include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bridges to Excellence, ConnectiCare, the CT State Medical Society-IPA, HealthNet, UnitedHealthcare and Qualidgm. Previously physicians could only access information about their quality performance for patients from each payer separately; the new report aggregates patients to provide more meaningful information that providers can use to improve care. CHQC covers approximately 95% of insured CT residents. Initially the CHQC indicators focus on diabetes, coronary heart disease, asthma, childhood respiratory infections and several preventive measures such as testing for cervical and breast cancer, and cholesterol testing. Funding was provided by the partner organizations and from the UConn Foundation for a physician continuing medical education module to help assess and use the information to improve care in their practices.
Ellen Andrews