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Jeanne,
I hope I did not offend you with my joking reply
earlier today. If I did, please accept my apologies. This is a serious
issue, and I had not heard anything about it before your email.
Holly
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 7:28
PM
Subject: Something new
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
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