Something new

[bornagain]

On September 15th 2003 CMS and HHS rolled out a new program where they will be offering mediation "as an optional method to resolve quality of care complaints that Medicare patients or their representatives file involving a practitioner or healthcare provider." I feel the part in quotes is misleading but that is exactly how it is printed on handouts that we have been provided by our QIO here in NJ. The reason I feel this way is the voluntary mediation will be offered only when a non-quality of care issue is found and I think beneficiaries may misunderstand the meaning of these meetings. There is already long standing policies on how to address actual quality of care issues and that has not changed. Yesterday I attended my second educational phone conference on this issue and Thursday I am scheduled to attend an actual role playing session where I hope I will receive more clarification on this somewhat confusing issue. I have asked and many others have asked questions that still remain unanswered. I was wondering if others have heard about this new program and what type of education they are receiving.  Jeanne