CMS seeks to combine various Medicare quality improvement programs under a single contract worth up to $25 billion, the agency announced May 15.
"CMS is making great strides in improving care for Medicare beneficiaries. However, much more work must be done to improve the quality and efficiency of the U.S. healthcare system," the agency said in the statement.
Under a new initiative, called the "Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors," CMS aims to have an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to encourage quality improvement efforts across settings and programs in the healthcare spectrum.
"The contract allows for the full spectrum of quality improvement work that is in operation under the current various networks," CMS said. This work includes efforts from the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations, the End Stage Renal Disease Network, hospital-focused large scale improvement work, clinician-focused technical assistance work, as well as additional quality improvement work.
CMS anticipates giving out multiple IDIQ contract awards that will have a 10-year ordering period.