Key Tips on Ensuring Quality Care

Thank you for your continued dedication to patient care. We’d like to take a few minutes of your time to remind you of the importance of closing gaps in care and ensuring all eligible patients complete their Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs). 

How you can make an impact: 

1. Schedule AWVs and Physical Exams 

These visits are vital for preventive care and setting a healthier foundation for the year ahead. 

• Pre-visit preparation: Review patient charts before visits, focusing on updated diagnoses, specialty consultation notes (e.g., vascular complications), and recent lab or test results (e.g., CAD noted in angioplasty reports). Also, check any recent discharge summaries for relevant information.  
• Ensure accurate documentation: Verify all previous diagnoses, procedures, and surgeries (e.g., amputations, CABG) in the patient’s medical record for accurate documentation. Address any Quality Measure gaps using CPT/CPT II Codes to prevent additional medical record requests. 

2. Address Care Gaps and Schedule Primary Care Visits 

Review patient lists for care gaps, particularly for crucial screenings such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer, as well as important labs like A1c and blood pressure tests. Schedule patients for appointments  to reevaluate chronic conditions. These visits are critical to ensure that treatment plans are up-to-date, and all aspects of patient health are managed effectively.  

For PCPs—how to get started:  

• Utilize the Gaps in Care (GIC) Report via the provider portal to identify patients needing follow-up. 
• Need assistance? Contact us at [email protected] for help with the report or information on our Quality Management initiatives. 

Year-end call to action: To enhance our quality measures and ensure the best possible care for our patients, we need your immediate attention to gaps in care reports. By addressing these gaps, we can collectively drive significant improvements in our healthcare delivery.

3. Issue Referrals and Home Testing Kits 

Submit referrals to specialists for recommended screenings and lab tests as soon as possible. Early referrals allow for timely care and help address potential health issues before they escalate. 

Provide home testing kits, such as Cologuard or iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening, to facilitate timely and convenient testing of patients.

4. Make It Count: Submit Supplemental Data 

Submitting supplemental data helps close care gaps efficiently and reduces the administrative burden associated with medical record requests. Our data sharing program facilitates this process, ensuring that your efforts are accurately reflected in our records. If your practice doesn’t yet participate in our data sharing program, contact us to learn how to get started.

Year-end call to action: As we approach the end of the year, it’s crucial to ensure all quality gaps are closed. We urge you to submit your supplemental data promptly to help us achieve our quality goals and improve patient outcomes. Your timely submission is vital in providing comprehensive care and maintaining our high standards of service.

Special Note on Flu Season

It’s essential to ensure that patients receive their flu shots. Flu vaccinations play a critical role in preventing seasonal illnesses and minimizing complications, particularly for those with chronic conditions.

Your proactive efforts will significantly enhance patient health outcomes and help maintain patient health.