DSS reduces maternal-adverse-events weighting after provider concern over low-birth-weight measure

Providers raised concerns that some quality measures — notably low birth weight — may penalize clinicians for outcomes outside typical clinical control. Brad Richards of the Department of Social Services acknowledged the concern and said DSS has reduced the maternal-adverse-events weight in the pay-for-performance construct from 18% to 6% in response to feedback.

Richards said DSS used advisory input and external support to select quality measures and that the agency is open to further conversation after year one. He emphasized that some measures are currently structured as pay-for-reporting while others impact shared savings; the weighting change is intended to reflect provider feedback about which outcomes are more clinically actionable.

What happens next
DSS will publish additional quality-methodology materials and an overview video. The agency said it will continue to review measure selection and weighting moving forward and welcomed provider input for post–year-one revisions.

Ending
DSS asked providers to continue submitting detailed feedback; the agency will follow up with technical materials and one-on-one sessions for groups that seek additional clarification.