This article series is a monthly tool to help physicians maximize patient health outcomes in accordance with NCQA?s¹ HEDIS^®2 measurements for high quality care on important dimensions of services.

Go to our Highlighting HEDIS^® web page to view previously published topics. If you have feedback or would like to request a topic, email us.

HEDIS^® definition

Persistence of beta-blocker treatment after a heart attack: The percentage of members ages 18 and older during the measurement year who were hospitalized and discharged alive from July 1 of the year prior to the measurement year to June 30 of the measurement year with a diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and who received persistent beta-blocker treatment for six months after discharge.

Importance of beta-blocker therapy

According to results of large-scale clinical trials, beta-blockers consistently reduce subsequent coronary events, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality by 20 – 30 percent after an AMI when taken indefinitely. Literature suggests that adherence to beta-blockers declines significantly within the first year. About half of AMI survivors who are eligible for beta-blocker therapy do not receive it. Test data reveal significant underutilization of beta-blockers 180 days post-AMI. There is evidence suggesting that around 2,900 – 5,000 lives are lost in the United States in the first year following an AMI, from the under-prescribing of beta-blockers. — NCQA, HEDIS 2013 V1

Plan performance

While our beta-blocker compliance rates for commercial and Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO members have generally increased since 2009, there is room for improvement to reach the 50th percentile benchmarks and enhanced standards of care.

Stay informed

Email us to request a Daily Hospital Census Report from IBC. Specify which office(s) the request is for and provide the office fax number or secure email address.

QIPS³ alert

The persistence of beta-blocker treatment after a heart attack is included as a performance measure in the Quality Incentive Payment System (QIPS) program for measurement year 2014 for participating providers.

Did you know?

Our Health Coaches can collaborate with you to support and guide your patients through an acute or chronic episode to help achieve the medical treatment goals you establish. Your patients can reach a Health Coach 24/7 by calling 1-800-ASK-BLUE and saying ?Health Coach? when prompted. Encourage your patients to contact a Health Coach.

HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Used with permission.

¹ The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is the most widely recognized accreditation program in the U.S.

² The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is an NCQA tool used by more than 90 percent of U.S. health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care.

³QIPS is a reimbursement system developed by Keystone Health Plan East for participating Pennsylvania primary care physicians that offers incentives for high-quality, accessible, and cost-effective care.