08-03-2023_BoardBook

pay-for-reporting and pay-for-performance payments with links to quality and value represented 19.5 %

of aggregated alternative payment model payments (HCPLAN, APM Measurement Progress of

Alternative Payment Models 2022 Methodology and Results Report, 2022). While healthcare quality

measurement in general has proliferated, quality measurements of obesity are absent in clinical care.

Several obesity quality measures are on record and included in reporting programs; these are process

measures only. A select few obesity quality measure projects have been tested in recent years, yet none

have been endorsed by the National Quality Forum, nor have they been implemented in payment

models with Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial health insurance plans. Other disease states, like

diabetes, have successfully completed efforts to move science into health policy with quality measure

projects that developed and implemented a comprehensive set of national measures for evaluation and

quality improvement (Fleming, et al., 2001). Clearly, numerous efforts are needed to link quality and

value in healthcare, particularly in obesity.

Thought leaders recommend a comprehensive review of efforts and development of measures or a

set of measures to improve the health of people living with obesity. This paper will focus on alternative

healthcare payment models linked to quality and value in the context of obesity care. Specifically, this

paper will provide background on the quality measure development process, quality reporting

programs, current obesity measure implementation, and key obesity quality measure development

projects.

Types of Healthcare Quality Measures

The National Quality Forum (NQF) defines a quality measure as a standard, basis for

comparison, or a reference point for evaluation of healthcare delivery (NQF, The ABCs of Measurement,

2022). More broadly, the goals for healthcare quality performance measurement are to improve

outcomes, inform consumers, and influence payment in the healthcare system. These goals are sought

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