CMSHealthDisparitie

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addresses health disparities by integrating health disparities initiatives cross-functionally.  In this section, you will learn about different programs within CMS' Office of Clinical Standards and Quality (OCSQ), such as the initiative through the Coverage & Analysis Group where they are trying to increase the number of minority clinical trials to better improve the treatment and outcomes for under-served populations. 

The Quality Improvement Group's (QIG) approach is unique from the other programs within OCSQ. For the first time, health disparities have been integrated across all Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program's 9th Scope of Work Themes and Sub-National Task areas.  CMS utilizes Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) to carry out this initiative.

Data
In order to know where health disparities exist, you need to have data that accurately identifies individuals by race and ethnicity.  In 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Information Patient Provider Act (MIPPA) Section 185.  This Act requires CMS to report to Congress on effective methods for ongoing data-collection, measurement and evaluation of health disparities by race, ethnicity, and gender.  By improving the way we collect data, we can better pinpoint and address where health disparities exist.

Next, Sensitivity
In collaboration with Federal partners such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are increasing awareness about the lack of minority participation in clinical trials.

Intervention
We have implemented evidence-based intervention models that improve quality indicators for people with multiple diseases and health conditions in underserved or “priority” populations.

Messaging
We have developed several health disparities messaging toolkits in order to facilitate the marketing of this initiative to medical professionals, local communities and the public to help them learn about these interventions, which will ultimately help them better educate Medicare beneficiaries about and generate participation in interventions to reduce health disparities.

One of OCSQ’s main objectives is to continually update our community of stakeholders with our progress in closing the health disparities gap for underserved populations.  Please click on the Quality Improvement Group's tab to learn more details about the 9th SoW, our year-to-date progress, and updates on future program initiatives.