HealthPartners cost and resource use measures
receive re-endorsement by National Quality Forum (NQF)

Leading standards-setting body cites widespread use of measures since 2012 endorsement

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – October 3, 2017. A set of HealthPartners-designed measures for identifying healthcare cost drivers and opportunities has once again received endorsement by the National Quality Forum (NQF). The measures were first endorsed by the leading, national standards-setting body in 2012.

The HealthPartners Total Cost of Care and Resource Use measures are now in use across the country in more than more than 35 states. The measures are designed to help organizations of all kinds manage costs, drive affordability and improve delivery of healthcare. They are unique in that they simultaneously measure cost of care and resources used to provide that care.

For example, the measures allow employers and consumers to compare healthcare providers based on value and cost over time. Providers can use the measures to better understand and manage cost drivers within their systems. Health plans can use them to drive development of new payment approaches. They can also inform benefit designs while improving transparency of provider performance reporting.

HealthPartners has been developing and using the measures for more than 15 years. Using this system, HealthPartners has outperformed Minnesota, regional and national risk-adjusted cost of care benchmarks for several years.

NQF reviews and develops consensus about measures warranting endorsement as “best in class.” Endorsed measures undergo routine NQF review. This includes rigorous testing and commentary by data scientists around the nation.

In a recent report, NQF referenced the HealthPartners measures as feasible and usable. It acknowledged their widespread use of in public reporting programs, payment programs, and quality improvement programs. A number of organizations also voiced their support for re-endorsement. This included Minnesota Community Measurement (MNCM), Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement (NRHI), national associations and many healthcare providers and plans.

“We all have a role to play in helping make care and coverage more affordable for patients and health plan members,” said Andrea Walsh, president and CEO, HealthPartners. “We are proud that these measures have been adopted so widely to help organizations of all kinds pursue affordability goals, and we’re pleased to continue to make them available to all.”

HealthPartners has released the full measurement methodology at healthpartners.com/tcoc. This in-depth information is available without charge. It includes detailed scientific background, technical guidelines, reference guides, sample applications and guidance for adoption and use by other organizations.