Volume 8, Issue 1 November 2010 Volume 8, Issue 1 November 2010 It has been seven years since we released the first issue of the MEPRS.INFOrmer. Since then, the TMA MEPRS Program has grown by leaps and bounds. We look forward to continuing our successes as we settle comfortably into FY11. First, I would like to commend the Services for their diligence and excellence in complying with MEPRS reporting directives. Adherence to transmission deadlines has improved considerably over the past five years, and I would like to thank the sites for a job well done. Take a look at your reporting progress on page 4. The TMA MEPRS Program Office remains steadfast in its commitment to data quality. To support your surveillance efforts, we are pleased to release the Consolidated Cost Report (CCR). Our feature story highlights how this tool can be used in tandem with MEWACS to optimize data integrity. The CCR debuts on the MEPRS Information Portal this month. The new fiscal year brings exciting changes for the Tri- Service MEPRS Conference. For the first time ever, the conference will be hosted in conjunction with the UBO/ UBU Office. Participants will have the opportunity to cross tracks and learn about the role of their UBO/UBU colleagues in the MHS. Read about this unique learning opportunity in this month’s issue. You can also take a look at survey feedback from our 2010 conference event. The MMIG has been tackling challenges associated with the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) initiative, depreciation policy, and other important issues. Learn about their latest activities on page 5. With Thanksgiving upon us once again, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season. Enjoy the time with your families, and be well. Patrick Wesley TMA MEPRS Program Manager MMIG Chairman Expand your data quality arsenal with the Consolidated Cost Report (CCR), the newest member of the MEPRS prod- uct line. With this handy new tool, sites can enjoy sharper insight into problem data areas related to productivity and resource consumption. The CCR is an Excel-based product offering detailed expense snap- shots and outlier detection capabilities. Engineered for use with the MEPRS Early Warning and Control System (MEWACS), the tool supports the timely investigation of MEPRS data anomalies. Here’s how it works. The CCR uses drill-down menus to pres- ent expense components and raw workload measures by site and Functional Cost Code (FCC). Facilities can see a full range of labor and non-labor dollars as well as specific expense contributions from ancillary and support accounts. On the workload side, sites can examine their dispositions, occupied bed days, and total visits. The tool employs multi-step criteria to highlight workload and cost Consolidated Cost Report Enhances DQ The MEPRS Informer pg 1 See Consolidated Cost Report on Page 2 Herb Escobar provides a CCR demonstration at the 2010 Tri-Service MEPRS Conference. Consolidated Cost Report Enhances DQ 2011 Conference Takes Shape Reporting Compliance Kudos MMIG Meeting Highlights Useful Sites and Points of Contact Pg 1 Pg 3 Pg 4 Pg 5 Pg 6
Transcript
Volume 8, Issue 1 November 2010Volume 8, Issue 1 November 2010
It has been seven years since we released the first issue of the MEPRS.INFOrmer. Since then, the TMA MEPRS Program has grown by leaps and bounds. We look forward to continuing our successes as we settle comfortably into FY11.
First, I would like to commend the Services for their diligence and excellence in complying with MEPRS reporting directives. Adherence to transmission deadlines has improved considerably over the past five years, and I would like to thank the sites for a job well done. Take a look at your reporting progress on page 4.
The TMA MEPRS Program Office remains steadfast in its commitment to data quality. To support your surveillance efforts, we are pleased to release the Consolidated Cost Report (CCR). Our feature story highlights how this tool can be used in tandem with MEWACS to optimize data integrity. The CCR debuts on the MEPRS Information Portal this month.
The new fiscal year brings exciting changes for the Tri-Service MEPRS Conference. For the first time ever, the conference will be hosted in conjunction with the UBO/UBU Office. Participants will have the opportunity to cross tracks and learn about the role of their UBO/UBU colleagues in the MHS. Read about this unique learning opportunity in this month’s issue. You can also take a look at survey feedback from our 2010 conference event.
The MMIG has been tackling challenges associated with the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) initiative, depreciation policy, and other important issues. Learn about their latest activities on page 5.
With Thanksgiving upon us once again, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season. Enjoy the time with your families, and be well.
Patrick WesleyTMA MEPRS Program ManagerMMIG Chairman
Expand your data quality arsenal with the Consolidated Cost Report (CCR), the newest member of the MEPRS prod-uct line. With this handy new tool, sites can enjoy sharper insight into problem data areas related to productivity and
resource consumption.
The CCR is an Excel-based product offering detailed expense snap-shots and outlier detection capabilities. Engineered for use with the MEPRS Early Warning and Control System (MEWACS), the tool supports the timely investigation of MEPRS data anomalies.
Here’s how it works. The CCR uses drill-down menus to pres-ent expense components and raw workload measures by site and Functional Cost Code (FCC). Facilities can see a full range of labor and non-labor dollars as well as specific expense contributions from ancillary and support accounts. On the workload side, sites can examine their dispositions, occupied bed days, and total visits. The tool employs multi-step criteria to highlight workload and cost
Consolidated Cost Report Enhances DQ
The MEPRS Informer pg 1
See Consolidated Cost Report on Page 2
Herb Escobar provides a CCR demonstration at the 2010 Tri-Service MEPRS Conference.
Consolidated Cost Report Enhances DQ
2011 Conference Takes Shape
Reporting Compliance Kudos
MMIG Meeting Highlights
Useful Sites and Points of Contact
Pg 1
Pg 3
Pg 4
Pg 5
Pg 6
The MEPRS Informer pg 2
components requiring attention. All negative expense values are flagged, as are instances where expenses are reported without cor-responding workload or vice versa. The CCR also gives visibility to ancillary and support expenses remaining after allocation.
After the general quality assessment, the CCR applies the Pareto Principle to identify FCCs for further evaluation. The Pareto Principle asserts that “roughly 80 percent of the effects come from 20 percent of the causes.” In accordance with this idea, the CCR identifies the FCCs that account for 80 percent of site total expenses. The product then employs an additional algorithm to identify data values that deviate from historical statistical thresh-olds. Values are flagged if they are three standard deviations above or below the site historical average, which is calculated using the twelve monthly data points from the previous year. Finally, the calculation adjusts for instances where workload increases or decreases account for significant expense changes. The clever algorithm removes the guesswork from your monitoring efforts, allowing you to focus on areas requiring corrective action.
Users can rely on the CCR Executive Summary to help streamline their data clean-up tasks. The Executive Summary highlights cost
and workload issues by gauging the frequency but not magnitude of flagged anomalies, offering a useful starting point. A helpful Notes & Documentation section walks you through algorithms and caveats to ensure understanding of the product methodology. Overall, the tool’s user-friendly interface lets you enjoy enhanced surveillance capabilities without sophisticated query language or Business Objects expertise.
With its granular data presentation, the CCR arms you with the information needed to research MEWACS outliers or simply evaluate site resource expenditure. If you rely on MEPRS for management oversight or have a particular interest in data quality, the CCR is a must-have for your MEPRS toolbox. TMA launched the CCR this month after incorporating feedback from several forums, including the UBO/UBU Conference, the Tri-Service MEPRS Conference, and field beta testers.
Access the CCR at www.MEPRS.info/ccr.cfm. Because of sub-stantial file sizes, a separate CCR workbook is available for each Service as well as the JTF CapMed. The CCR is updated monthly in conjunction with each MEWACS release. For additional prod-uct information, send an e-mail to [email protected]. ☼
Consolidated Cost Report Continued from Page 1
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2011 Conference Takes ShapeWe just wrapped up the 2010 conference, but next year’s event is already in the works. The TMA MEPRS Program Office is pleased to offer a joint conference with the Uniform Business Office (UBO)/Unified Biostatistical Utility (UBU) in March 2011. Make plans to join us at the National Conference Center (NCC) as we present an integrated view of MEPRS within the broader MHS enterprise.
The UBO provides program oversight for MHS cost recovery programs, while the UBU performs complex analysis to standardize biostatistical data elements, proce-dure codes, and algorithms. Together with MEPRS, these program offices contribute to MHS health care delivery in unique ways. The consolidated conference offers a remarkable opportunity to grow your MEPRS knowledge while augmenting your understanding of our MHS counterparts.
While the over arching conference theme is the MHS Revenue Cycle, the MEPRS component is structured to accommodate three specific populations: those who collect MEPRS data, those who use MEPRS data, and those responsible for both the collection and application of MEPRS information. The curriculum includes a training day offering hands-on experience with helpful MEPRS tools. Whether you’re interested in MEPRS internal management controls or want to know more about the Data Quality Management Con-trol (DQMC) Program, the 2011 conference offers something for everyone. With an open format, attendees will have the flexibility to cross learning tracks according to their preferences. Participants can also look forward to interactive panel discussions and some Service breakouts. Make plans to join us at the NCC in March! Stay tuned for more details at www.MEPRS.info. ☼
2010 Conference Comments
Thanks to all the 2010 Tri-Service MEPRS Conference attendees who took the time to submit comment cards and complete the online evaluation. The response rate to the web survey was a successful 63 percent! Here’s what some of your colleagues had to say about their conference experience.
“The entire conference was engaging. All presentations were well organized and related to my daily work. The speakers knew their material and presented it in a manner that was understandable and relevant.”
“I thought the conference speakers and coordinators really tried hard to make it an interesting, informational learning and sharing experience. I can tell our ‘higher-ups’ care at every level. I never got sleepy or bored!”
“I liked the question and answer periods. It was a chance to work on resolving problems at our individual sites.”
“Exceptional speakers and even with the short schedule, I believe that the most important topics were covered. Who we are, where we have been, and where we are going.”
“Although many seem to disagree, I like the NCC. It is very well set up for accommodating our MEPRS conference. Everything we need is there, although I imagine for some the isolation may be unnerving. I like the peacefulness, and shuttles are provided so you can get out and about or you can get yourself a rental car right there on site (very convenient).”
“I really enjoyed the conference, and I came away with numerous useful tidbits to better perform my job. The interaction with other MEPRS managers was eye-opening and insightful. I look forward to the next conference. Perhaps holding it end of May or early June might be better.”
The MEPRS Informer pg 4
Great Job, MTFs!
FY06 – FY10 DoD EAS IV Repository YTD Completion
If you’re responsible for MEPRS data processing and reporting, rest assured your hard work has not gone unnoticed. For the past five years, the TMA MEPRS Program Office has been monitoring MEPRS data completion as illustrated in the MEPRS Early Warning and Control System (MEWACS). Your reporting progress receives visibility up the leadership chains at TMA and Health Affairs, all the way up to the Service surgeons general!
MEPRS data integrity starts with timely transmissions, and we have made significant strides in this area. Data closeout for FY10 is on track, and year-to-date completion is at its highest ever. Over the years, sites have persevered through the EASi transition, DMHRSi is-sues, and other challenges to report this vital information. On the DoD side, we have streamlined the annual EAS table rollout process that has sometimes delayed processing in the past. The TMA MEPRS Program Office would like to take this opportunity to express sincerest gratitude to all involved in MEPRS reporting activities. From Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund (MERHCF) analysis to third party billing rates, the success of MHS initiatives is directly linked to MEPRS data. The enterprise depends on you, and you have certainly risen to the occasion. Thanks for a truly outstanding job. Keep up the great work!. ☼
The FY2006 EAS table release was not deployed until December 1, 2005. No discernible cause for this delay was noted. The FY2007 EAS table release was not deployed until December 13, 2006. The delay was associated with the new release programmed using the EAS IV 3.1 platform as well as required table modifications. Because of a changeover in contract staff at EASPO, the FY2008 EAS table release was not deployed until January 5, 2008.
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MMIG Meeting HighlightsThe MEPRS Management Improvement Group (MMIG) meets routinely to provide functional oversight of the MEPRS Program, discuss Tri-Service standardization of practices, and coordinate policy. The MMIG convened on several occasions in FY10 to discuss the Patient Centered Medical Home initiative, EAS IV Repository performance issues, and other important topics. Meeting highlights are outlined below.
▪ EAS IV Repository performance continues to deteriorate, as evident in increased query run times. Acknowledging this issue, the MMIG is examining data archive options to improve system functionality. Solutions include removing data older than six years from the system entirely, archiving old data to tape, and creating a separate Business Objects universe for data older than six years. TMA will draft an issue paper outlin-ing EAS IV Repository performance concerns and will com-municate with DHSS about the feasibility of creating a new Business Objects universe.
▪ TMA is exploring alternative methodologies for expense al-location. Specifically, they are assessing the impact of shifting from raw to weighted performance factors and the implica-tions of including Noncount workload.
▪ At present, no official policy requires other groups to consult the MMIG during system development. TMA will generate a list of chartered HA/TMA workgroups that may benefit from MMIG input when working issues or SCRs that have reper-cussions for MEPRS.
▪ The Services are creating policy for the implementation of Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), a health care delivery approach emphasizing integrated, coordinated care. The MMIG discussed methodology options to identify PCMH teams, including the use of Fourth Level Functional Cost Codes, DMIS IDs, and reliance on CHCS. According to the MHS Office of Strategy Management, tracking teams is criti-cal to measuring the value of PCMH with respect to the MHS Quadruple Aim.
▪ The MHS may shift from the Prospective Payment System to a performance planning model that incentivizes outcomes tied to the Quadruple Aim. The new approach will be tested at seven pilot sites beginning in November.
▪ QUEST is the latest education offering from the TMA MEPRS Program Office. The course acronym outlines the analytical process taught in the course. Register for classes on the MEPRS Information Portal.
▪ TMA conducted a study to evaluate how sites are executing depreciation policy. The study assessed the depreciation data input of two sites per Service and compared that informa-tion with data in the EAS IV Repository. Results indicated the practice of lumping full-year depreciation into one or two months, which is inconsistent with policy directing even distri-bution of costs over the course of the fiscal year. The MMIG will continue examining MEPRS data to determine how sites are interpreting depreciation business rules.
▪ TMA has crafted a MEPRS Strategic Plan framework con-sistent with Kaplan’s Four Stage Model, which commences with data quality and culminates in a fully integrated cost system. Components of the model include (1) Innovation and Managerial Relevance, which relates to the capture of MHS managerially relevant data such as weighted workload, (2) External Reporting, which pertains to systems configuration to address external customers and policy, (3) Integrated Cost System, which emphasizes internal management purposes, and (4) Data Quality, reflecting the importance of MEPRS data integrity to MHS applications.
Download MMIG minutes and presentations from the MEPRS Information Portal at www.MEPRS.info. Contact information for MMIG Service representatives is also available online. For additional information on MMIG activities, please contact Lisa Matthews at [email protected]. ☼
The MEPRS Informer pg 6
The MEPRS.INFOrmer is a publication of the TMA MEPRS Program Office. Please direct newsletter questions or story ideas to cindy [email protected].
Official correspondence may be sent to the TMA MEPRS Program Office at:
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