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Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Recognition ProgramIn 2005, the Texas Diabetes Council issued a challenge to HMOs in Texas: Improve performance on measures of diabetes care in Texas by ten percent over the next two years. Acknowledging the impact HMOs have on quality of care for Texans with diabetes, the Council’s HMO Recognition Program invites organizations who surpass the state average for all HEDIS® measures relating to comprehensive diabetes care to be honored at a Council meeting, and appear in listings in Texas Diabetes and on the Council web site. The Texas Diabetes Council recognized six Texas HMOs for above average, comprehensive diabetes care at its quarterly meeting in Austin on January 26, 2006. Based on a review of data presented in the 2004 Guide to Texas HMO Quality, six HMOs in seven Texas markets exceeded the state average for all six HEDIS® performance measures relating to comprehensive diabetes care in 2003:
An above average ranking on all six performance measures relating to diabetes care suggests adherence to standards of care for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a priority area of the Council’s Strategic Plan for 2006 and 2007. The Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) consists of standardized performance measures designed for comparing the quality of care of managed care organizations. This tool is used by more than 90 percent of America’s health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service. Basic service HMOs in Texas with 5,000 or more members are required under Texas law to report HEDIS® measures annually to the Center for Health Statistics, Texas Department of State Health Services. The six HEDIS® performance measures for comprehensive diabetes care are listed with corresponding state and national averages below:
The Guide to Texas HMO Quality is published each year by the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel to aid health plan purchasers and consumers choose plans that best meet their needs. Last Updated February 27, 2005 |
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