SIM Steering Committee

SIM Steering Committee

July 27, 2016

The work of the Steering Committee appears to be winding down. Randall Chenard, who had been the Project Director for SIM, has left for another position and it does not appear that DHHS has determined how SIM will wrap up. Probably more to come on that in next month or two.

·  Overview of Learning Collaborative going forward – Amy Dix from DHHS reported that there will be a focus on the diagnosis of DM in the coming year, with attention to metrics of A1C measurement in Health Homes and A1C measurement for patients on antipsychotics in Behavioral Health Homes. The structure will be a peer-to-peer approach wherein practices who are more advanced in process improvement will help to support those who are earlier in the process. A question was raised about the use of fasting glucose vs A1C in BHH settingand that is not currently part of the planned measure, though it is part of the APA/ADA consensus guideline. Amy will look into that.

·  National Diabetes Prevention Program risk: access to and engagement of commercial payers has not yet been accomplished. There has been some discussion with Harvard Pilgrim and it was suggested that the outreach to the Maine Association of Health Plans be re-addressed.

·  Sub-committee reports (the summer has seen a reduction in meetings and activity):

o  Payment reform - No July meeting. If Maine is chosen for CPC plus that will be a focus of effort.

o  Delivery system reform – Discussing MACRA/MIPS and its potential impact, as well as considering support for providers. Also had a remote meeting to discuss Medicare Payment Oversight Committee. Also, there is a lot of energy and passion in the DSR work group and discussing how to continue post-SIM. Risk identified: diminishing primary care work force.

o  Evaluation – qualitative research is in full swing with 7000 letters going out pre-survey and a goal of 1500 consumer phone or paper surveys, plus 300 provider surveys.Also working to identify higher performing BHH and to learn from them, and to identify populations who have and have not benefitted from Health Homes, BHHs and Accountable Communities.

·  Public comment – Barbara Leonard from MEHAF urged that there be a final or summary large SIM meeting to identify what aspects of the initiative should continue and how best to support that.