NQF Announces the Measure Incubator™ Innovation Challenge

Members & Publications

August 23, 2016

National Quality Forum (NQF) is committed through its Measure Incubator™ to foster learning and improvement in the measure development process. Earlier this summer, NQF challenged the Measure Incubator working groups to identify specific areas for improvement and innovation. Through this process, the working groups revealed opportunities for improvement and leading gap areas in measure development.

The NQF Measure Incubator's Innovation Challenge invites you to submit proposals that present solutions focused on one or more of these opportunities for improvement or leading gap areas. Winners will be selected by Measure Incubator working group committees. Winners will receive a cash award and a platform to share ideas through the planned NQF Measure Incubator Learning Collaborative.

Measure Incubator Working Group Findings

Opportunities for Improvement

Leading Gap Areas

Data: new approaches or methods to accessing or
developing data to inform and support measure development

Patient Reported Outcomes

Testing: examples of the most efficient and effective approaches

Care Coordination

Feedback: how does measure variation and alignment inform development

Patient and Family Engagement

Patient Engagement: innovative ways to introduce the patient
voice in measure development

Home and community-based and long-term care services and supports

Partnerships and Collaboration: new approaches to funding,
infrastructure, and collaboration

Behavioral Health

 

Take on the Challenge!

Now through September 18, 2016, the Measure Incubator™ is seeking proposals that identify innovative and agile approaches to solving one or more of the opportunities for improvement or leading gap areas in measure development.

Submissions may be based on an existing project or theoretical solutions that may not yet be verified. Theoretical approaches can also identify solutions and/or processes used in different industries that could be applied to measure development and/or testing.

NQF will provide cash awards for up to five submissions selected by the NQF Measure Incubator working group committees. Winners will be announced by October 7 and will be invited to present their proposals at an NQF webinar in fall 2016. Selected submissions will be featured as initial content in the online NQF Measure Incubator Learning Collaborative, tentatively scheduled to launch in 2017.

Submission Details

Innovation Challenge submissions should be three or fewer pages and address the following questions:

  • What problem are you trying to solve, and who are the key stakeholders?
  • What type of work is required to address the opportunities for improvement / leading gap areas? (Include level of effort, or description of the scope of work).
  • What solutions have you identified and/or implemented to address the opportunities for improvement / leading gap area? And, have they been successful?
  • Are there other opportunities for improvement that support your topic?
  • Can this work be replicated by others? And, if so, how?
  • What role can the Measure Incubator play in your approach?

​​Innovation Challenge submissions must be received by September 18 to be eligible for consideration. Access the submission form.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions should respond to each of the individual questions asked. Priority will be given to those that:

  • Are broadly applicable across measures and/or leading gap areas
  • Describe an approach that would significantly contribute to the measure development and testing field
    • Significant contributions take into consideration proposals that minimize effort or provide innovative solutions
  • Provide solutions that have demonstrated success
    • If theoretical, then the solutions should be ones that could be widely implemented, and examples of how this could occur should be provided
  • Demonstrate that the work/steps can be replicated by others
  • If theoretical, then the applicant must describe how the approach could be widely implemented

​​Please send your questions about the Innovation Challenge to incubator@qualityforum.org.

Legislation Introduced to Alleviate Impact of Conversion Factor Cut for 2021

Nov 09, 2020

Last month, two bills were introduced in the House proposing solutions to the estimated 10.6% Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor cut expected to go into effect January 1, 2021.  The bills offer some relief to the cut, but do not reflect a comprehensive or long-term solution.  AAPM&R has therefore chosen to remain neutral regarding these bills. 

Your Academy continues to advocate for a permanent solution to the conversion factor cut while maintaining the important payment increases to office and outpatient evaluation and management services.