WOODLAND HILLS, CA, January 17, 2008 — Health Benchmarks® Inc. (HBI) Physician Quality Measures have been included in the Vol. 2.0, December 2007, version of the Quality Measures Compendium1 which is compiled by The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within the Division of Quality, Evaluation and Health Outcomes. This Compendium provides an update to the available quality measures relevant and appropriate for advancement of quality improvement initiatives, and is a single source of evidence-based measures developed by leaders in quality improvement. The CMS encourages the use of existing quality measures that have been validated, tested, and vetted through consensus processes.

“Health Benchmarks has been in the forefront in the development of physician quality measures. We have actively participated in the national dialogue around performance measurement and being included in this Compendium is an exciting step in our evolution, and a privilege that we are proud of,” stated Zak Ramadan-Jradi, MD, MBA, Vice President, Client Solutions of Health Benchmarks® Inc.

HBI has worked diligently with commercial, Medicare and Medicaid payors to implement these quality measures over many years. They have been tested, validated  and vetted through these different organizations which represent over 30 million patient lives. These indicators have been chiefly used to create high performance networks, pay-for-performance programs and to reimburse clinicians based upon quality of care.

Health Benchmarks® Inc. (HBI) is an industry leader in the development of physician and hospital pay-for-performance programs, and delivers real world business solutions that drive and sustain high quality and value in the healthcare industry. In addition HBI is an applied health services research company that specializes in transforming healthcare data into meaningful, actionable information for managed care organizations, government agencies (CMS), pharmaceutical companies, large employers, and other health services organizations. Utilizing the company’s analytical assets, HBI conducts complex health outcomes research and analyses to facilitate evidenced based decision-making in an increasingly competitive marketplace.  Please visit www.healthbenchmarks.com or call 1-800-465-6575 for more information and to receive a copy of the Compendium.

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1. URL for the Compendium: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidSCHIPQualPrac/03_evidencebasedcare.asp