Project Title: MACRA Episode-Based Cost Measures - Wave 6 Clinician Expert Workgroups

Dates: The Clinician Expert Workgroups (“workgroups”) nomination period opens on May 12, 2023, and closes on June 2, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Submit all nomination materials by the closing date.

Project Overview:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracted Acumen, LLC (“Acumen”) to develop episode-based cost measures. The contract name is Physician Cost Measures and Patient Relationship Codes (PCMP). The contract number is 75FCMC18D0015, Task Order 75FCMC19F0004. As the organizer of these workgroups, Acumen convenes groups of interested parties and experts who contribute direction and thoughtful input on their work and analysis. The purpose of these workgroups is to provide clinical input on each aspect of the specifications of 2 episode-based cost measures being developed as part of Wave 6. These 2 measures are Movement Disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis [MS], Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS], Huntington’s Disease) and Non-Pressure Ulcers.

Seeking the Following Perspectives/Expertise:

We’re seeking individuals with differing perspectives and areas of expertise, such as 

• Clinicians with experience relevant to Movement Disorders and Non-Pressure Ulcers
• Specialties who provide care in the areas being measured, including: neurology, podiatry, internal medicine, family practice, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurosurgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vascular surgery, undersea and hyperbaric medicine, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, general surgery, and others 
• Familiarity with medical coding 
• Expertise in performance measurement, quality improvement, or value-based care 

Workgroup Expected Time Commitment: 

Members will attend 3 virtual meetings throughout 2023 and 2024. Meetings are anticipated to be 3-4 hours each. The meeting dates are as follows:

• Meeting #1 (June 2023): Members will build out each component of the episode-based cost measure by providing clinical input and reviewing empirical analyses and other materials.
  • Movement Disorders Workgroup: June 27, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m. ET (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT)
  • Non-Pressure Ulcers Workgroup: June 28, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m. ET (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT)
• Meeting #2 (October 2023): Members will provide clinical input on targeted components of the measure upon review of testing results for the measure as specified in consideration of their earlier input. The input provided during this meeting will help inform refinements to the measure prior to a national field test.
• Meeting #3 (March or April 2024): Workgroup members will review field testing feedback and empirical analyses to provide input on final refinements to the measures.

Workgroup meeting dates for the second and third meetings will be determined at a later date in consideration of factors such as the availability of workgroup members.

Below is a list of tasks expected of all workgroup members

• Review preparatory materials shared ahead of each meeting and complete any pre-meeting survey, if applicable (estimated time between 2 and 4 hours)
• Attend and participate in all 3 of the meetings described above (3-4 hours each)
• Vote in a post-meeting survey (estimated time between 1 and 2 hours per meeting)

Next Steps:

Please read the Wave 6 Draft Workgroup Charter and complete the Workgroup Nomination Form. You may access these documents by clicking the title of each document:

• Wave 6 of Clinician Expert Workgroups Nomination Form
  • Interested nominees are required to submit a completed nomination form. As part of this form, nominees are required to upload: (i) a letter of interest (not to exceed 2 pages) highlighting experience/knowledge relevant to the expertise described above and involvement in measure development, and (ii) a current curriculum vitae (CV) or summary of relevant experience. If you wish to nominate yourself or other individuals for consideration, please complete the form by June 2, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET.
• Draft Clinician Expert Workgroup Charter

Please email macra-clinical-committee-support@acumenllc.com if you would like to receive: (i) a 508-compliant version of the nomination form for submission via email instead of the web-based form, or (ii) additional information on the workgroup nomination and measure development processes (or other information about the project generally).