Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act
Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act
Plain Language Summary
# Plain Language Summary: Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act **What the bill does:** This bill would give healthcare organizations called Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) more flexibility in how they report quality information to Medicare. Currently, these organizations are required to use a specific electronic reporting system. The bill would delay that requirement until 2030 and allow ACOs to test alternative digital reporting methods through a pilot program in the meantime.
By 2030, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would need to establish new standards ensuring that all electronic health record systems used by ACOs can handle reporting across different practice sizes, locations, and medical specialties. **Who it affects:** This bill primarily affects Accountable Care Organizations (networks of doctors and hospitals that work together to improve care quality for Medicare patients), healthcare providers who work with these organizations, and ultimately Medicare patients. It does not directly affect individual patients' care or insurance coverage. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility ActThis bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay certain requirements relating to the reporting of quality measures by accountable care organizations (ACOs) and to also test alternative reporting methods for ACOs.Specifically, the CMS must delay the requirement that ACOs use a specified electronic system for reporting quality measures until January 1, 2030. Additionally, the CMS must establish a pilot program to test other digital reporting methods; ACOs that participate in the pilot program are exempt from using the existing electronic system. The CMS must also implement standards for digital reporting by January 1, 2030, that ensure all electronic health record systems used by ACOs are able to support reporting across a range of practice sizes, specialties, and geographic locations. ACOs may use existing reporting methods until the standards are implemented.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.