Alabama | Indiana | Kentucky | Mississippi | Tennessee
April 2019
In the News
atom Alliance Provider Opioid Dashboards Garner National Interest
Through a series of customized dashboards developed by atom Alliance, providers can now get personalized insights for their opioid prescribing rates. 

At the 2019 CMS Quality Conference, atom Alliance’s Amanda Ryan and Bart Prevallet presented examples of the dashboards and explained how providers can benchmark the information against their community and state peers.

Ryan and Prevallet spoke with Bloomberg Law’s Madison Alder to answer questions and provide further details around the project that is helping atom Alliance and healthcare providers fight back against the opioid crisis in our region.
Featured Resources
How to Taper Opioids Toolkit and Webinar
These hand-picked resources were chosen to help providers and educate patients on tapering opioids. They were developed by the Team for Innovation in MEdication Safety (TIMES), a collaborative of healthcare providers and patients in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. The goal of TIMES is to improve medication safety by decreasing unnecessary medication use.

Watch the recent webinar "Opioid Tapering and Disposal Resources" for an in-depth explanation of the toolkit and its resources.
One Physician’s Journey from Penalties to a More Productive Path
Dr. Adetokunbo Ladipo, an internist, is the sole medical doctor and owner of LHM Clinic PC in Anniston, Alabama. Not only does she practice medicine, but she also fulfills administrative obligations – spending countless hours treating patients and maintaining her practice.

It is not unusual for a doctor to function as both the clinician and office manager in a small practice; however, it can be overwhelming to meet the demands of the CMS Quality Payment Program (QPP).
Personal Story: From the Center of My Care Team

atom Alliance's own Janet Pollock shares her personal story about a recent stay in a rehabilitation facility following a hospital stay.

Janet details her insights and observations as a patient and quality improvement expert. Experiencing nursing home care as a patient was eye-opening and enlightening for her.

She also shares her conclusions and gratitude for the high quality care she received.
Treating Alcoholism with a No-Fault Atmosphere

Ask anyone if they have ever cut their finger and most will say yes. It can happen to anyone, although the odds go up when people are not paying attention. No one wants or expects to cut their finger. It’s a no-fault wound.

Kind of like alcoholism. Alcoholism is non-discriminate.

Some people are more susceptible than others, but it can happen to anyone. No one wants or expects to develop an addiction. It’s another no-fault wound.
Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Website Now Retired
The PQRS program ended on December 31, 2018, and CMS retired the website on March 29, 2019. On this date, CMS also retired the  CAHPS for PQRS Survey website .

The following contacts are now available to answer PQRS-related questions:
  • Contact the Quality Payment Program Service Center at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or 1-866-288-8292 (TTY: 1-877-715-6222) for PQRS-related questions.
  • For Value Modifier questions, contact the Physician Value Help Desk at pvhelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov or 888-734-6433 (select option 4). The Physician Value Help Desk will be available through May 3, 2019.
  • After May 3, please contact the Quality Payment Program Service Center for any Value Modifier and Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) inquiries at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or 1-866-288-8292 (TTY: 1-877-715-6222).

The final performance period for the Value Modifier and PQRS programs was in 2016 with the final payment adjustment year in 2018. The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under the new Quality Payment Program replaced the Value Modifier and PQRS programs. We encourage everyone to learn more about the Quality Payment Program by visiting  qpp.cms.gov/.
Upcoming Events
April 16
April 18
Lessons Learned, How to Succeed in MIPS for Solo and Small Group Practices
Now that MIPS is in its third year, many small practice clinicians and practice managers have developed methods and processes to maximize their success and efficiency meeting MIPS requirements. For those new to MIPS or seeking to improve their MIPS score this year, interacting with successful clinicians and practice managers will provide valuable insights, including advice and suggestions on how to succeed in MIPS while continuing to effectively serve your community and meet financial goals.
May 14
Quality of Life at the End of Life
Join the Community Action Network as guest speaker Dustin Dillon, M.D. shares exactly what hospice care is, what it means to be at the "end of life," and how to manage discomfort at the end of life.
View our  calendar  page for more details.
Evaluate Your Progress and Get the Help You Need
Providers.Exchange provides a secure site where you can share data, discuss quality improvement best practices, and receive specialized expert support to overcome your barriers. Our unique, professional portal offers quality measure performance reports and useful Quality Payment Program education to help you step-by-step through the improvement success.

  • Understand how you are performing on your schedule 24/7
  • Get timely feedback reports and resources
  • Access feedback reports and trend data over time
  • Understand missed revenue opportunities
  • Obtain real-time technical assistance Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
  • Receive invitations to targeted training opportunities
  • Access interactive support from your local Quality Improvement Advisor

We are eager to help you become more efficient and effective. Our Advisors support physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare service providers as they transform their organizations through the use of health information technology. We are vendor-neutral and work in both large and small settings.

Feedback Reports
Whether you are measuring success, working toward better care coordination, increasing immunization rates or another healthcare quality goal, it is essential to evaluate your progress. Our confidential feedback reports not only show your progress, but document barriers to overcome and offer recommendations from tested best practices.

Help Desk Services
We are here to guide you through quality programs and performance improvement initiatives with specific support. Simply submit questions or requests via our online technical assistance center, call or email us. Our support personnel will reach out to you within 24 business hours or sooner. Email  techassist@qsource.org  for more information or to register to receive your username.
Featured On-Demand Opportunity
Seize the Day: Improving Care for Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department and Beyond
Dr. Patricia Kavanagh shares the National Institutes of Health’s guidelines and acute pain algorithm for sickle cell disease, discusses some of the methods that have been used both for children and adults and then highlights exciting work occurring across the country focused on improving care and treatment for people with sickle cell disease.
Connect with atom Alliance

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This material was prepared by atom Alliance, the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO), coordinated by Qsource for Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi and Alabama, under a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Content presented does not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 19.A1.01.004