The American Health Quality Association recently released new standards for its member quality-improvement organizations. The AHQA’s board of directors approved the policy in December, and already more than a third of all QIO boards—in states home to more than half of the nation’s Medicare beneficiaries—have agreed to comply. QIOs are consulting groups that help Medicare recipients and care providers receive and deliver appropriate health care services, and reduce medical errors. Most QIOs already follow the standards, reports the AHQA, but the new policy formalizes the rules to encourage their increased adoption.

The standards address QIO board and executive compensation, board diversity and independence, travel expenses, and procedures to prevent and mitigate conflicts of interest.

“The only way QIOs can succeed is by earning and maintaining the trust and respect of patients, providers and public policymakers,” says David Schulke, AHQA executive vice president. “Adoption of these standards by every QIO will show the public that QIOs are committed to fiscal integrity and accountability to a broad array of stakeholders. This is just the first step.”

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