Summaries based on the original text of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Passed by the US Senate 12-24-09. Passed by the US House of Representatives 3-21-10. Summary is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions and any amended portions of the bills apply).
Ensuring Quality of Care
Not later than two years after the Act has been established (enacted), the Secretary, working in conjunction with experts in health care quality and other stakeholders – shall develop reporting requirements to be used by a group health plan, as well as any insurer offering individual or group health coverage relating to plan or coverage benefits as well as health care provider reimbursement that (pp 30, lines 13 – 21):
- Seek to improve health care outcomes via implementation of initiatives such as quality reporting, case management, coordination of care, management of chronic disease care compliance initiatives relating to medication, including through the use of the “medical homes model” for treatment or services provided under the plan of coverage (pp 30, lines 22-25, pp 31, lines 1 – 5).
- Implement to curb or prevent hospital readmissions via a comprehensive for hospital discharge including patient education and counseling. Implement comprehensive discharge planning and post discharge reinforcement by suitable health care professionals (pp 31, lines 6 – 12).
- Implement ways to improve patient safety and diminish medical errors by using best-practice-clinical practices, evidence based ,medicine as well as health information technologies – under plan coverage (pp 31, lines 13 – 17).
- Lastly, implement wellness and activities for health promotion (pp 31, lines 18 – 19).