Peer-to-peer learning among health care professionals can enhance collaboration and accelerate innovation through knowledge sharing and the adoption of evidence-based clinical practices.¹ The MHCC convenes peer learning networks for health care professionals on a variety of health information technology (health IT) and innovative care delivery topics to support transformation. Each learning network is designed, developed, and implemented in collaboration with health care stakeholders. 

Learning Networks – 2019 through Present

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Recorded Events 

Advanced Care Delivery

Learning network events are collaborative discussions that support Advanced Care Delivery focus on team-based models, health equity, and highlighting innovations in value-based care delivery. The learning network aims to promote successful participation in value-based care models and support ambulatory providers in transforming the way they deliver care.

INNOVATIVE CARE DELIVERY MODELS: IMPLEMENTING CONTINOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT      December 2024 Representatives from two physician practices and a subject matter expert discuss areas where care delivery and operations can be improved through data analysis, feedback, and goal setting with clear and measurable targets for improvement. Speakers give examples of how they test new approaches and interventions in their own practices, regularly track progress and adjust as needed to optimize outcomes.

EXPLORING CRISP DATA: BEST PRACTICES FOR ACCESS AND USE     October 2024 Representatives from three physician practices and a subject matter expert discuss the value and clinical benefit of utilizing data from CRISP, the State-Designated Health Information Exchange (HIE). Speakers explore ways HIEs can be leveraged to improve care delivery and chronic care management, such as incorporating HIE reports (e.g., radiology and laboratory reports) into practice workflows.

MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE CARE SUMMIT: NAVIGATING KEY TASKS AND ROLES      June 2024 Representatives from three physician practices and a subject matter expert discuss key considerations for implementing mental health collaborative care models, including treatment approaches and tips for defining the roles of primary care providers and behavioral health specialists.

ENHANCING PATIENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH PATIENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT      April 2024 Representatives from two ambulatory practices and a practice transformation coach discuss key considerations around engaging patients and families to improve care quality and patient safety, and other considerations that can influence engagement.

USING DATA TO MANAGE PATIENT POPULATIONS    March 2024 Two physicians and a health policy data expert share how data can be used to manage patient populations, enhance care delivery, and improve patient outcomes.

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN TEAM-BASED ADVANCED CARE DELIVERY    November 2023 A social worker and medical director share how the role of social workers in team-based models is evolving. The presentation includes information about why some advanced care delivery practices employ in-house social workers and demonstrate how advanced care delivery practices share social worker resources.

Exploring the Connection Between Auditory Health and Overall Wellbeing    June 2023 An audiologist and nurse practitioner share best practices for identifying and addressing hearing loss in primary care settings. The presentation includes information on the impact of hearing loss on overall health, how to recognize the signs of hearing loss, and strategies for establishing referral relationships with audiologists.

Health Equity Symposium    March 2023 Challenges around addressing health equity issues are discussed during this symposium, which was convened in collaboration with the Health Services Cost Review Commission and MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society. Discussions focus on strategies for identifying patterns of need in the community, building referral networks for services related to social needs, and connecting patients to resources.

Assessing and Vetting Community Resources    May 2022 Clinicians from Carroll Hospital and Adventist HealthCare discuss identifying statewide community resources, determining capacity of community resources, and leveraging and prioritizing partnerships with community resources.

Symposium Series: Innovative Care Delivery A three-part virtual symposium series convened in collaboration with the Health Services Cost Review Commission and MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society. Presentations focus on the evolution of quality measurement and value-based care delivery models; approaches and strategies for team-based care across the medical neighborhood; and multi-disciplinary team approaches to managing high-risk and high-utilizer patients.

Session 1: Innovative Models for Managing Patient Populations (November 2021)

       

Session 2: Innovative Team-Based Care (December 2021)

       

Session 3: Innovative Value-Based Payment Models (January 2022)

       

Advancing Practice Transformation April 2021 A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Improvement Organization subcontractor and a Medicare quality reporting physician consultant provide an overview of the 2021 Quality Payment Program updates. The presentation also includes tips and resources for succeeding in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)

Engaging Patients and Family Advisory Councils During COVID-19 November 2020 A clinician from Ascension Saint Agnes and two clinical staff and a patient family advisor from Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center share tips and lessons learned around engaging patients and their family members in the quality improvement process during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Improving Quality and Preparing for the Maryland Primary Care Program December 2019 The webinar provides information on quality improvement activities to enhance care quality in federally qualified health centers and opportunities available in the Maryland Primary Care Program.

Podiatry

The Podiatry learning network builds awareness and provides education on a range of topics including health information technology, cybersecurity, and alternative care delivery models for podiatric practices. 

Maximizing Health Information Exchange in a Podiatric Practice April 2023 Best practices for accessing and utilizing data from health information exchanges (HIEs) are discussed, including how to leverage the data to improve podiatric care delivery and chronic care management.  Speakers include a Maryland podiatrist, a representative from the State Designated HIE (CRISP), and MHCC staff.

Remote Patient Monitoring in a Podiatric Practice March 2022 The webinar focuses on best practices for selecting remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies, navigating the payer reimbursement process, and implementing RPM in a podiatric practice.

Maximizing Performance in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) October 2021 A national podiatric MIPS subject matter expert provides information on optimizing performance in MIPS, including tips on measure selection to improve practice performance.

Protecting Your Practice: Strategies to Improve Cybersecurity March 2021 Two Qualified Maryland Cybersecurity Sellers, a Maryland podiatrist, and MHCC staff provide information on key strategies for enhancing cybersecurity in podiatric practices.

Adopting Telehealth in a Podiatric Practice: Best Practices & Lessons Learned June 2020 Maryland podiatrists and MHCC staff provide an overview on adopting telehealth in a podiatric practice. Includes information about best practices, lessons learned, and telehealth adoption resources.

Improving Practice Performance in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System April 2020 A podiatric MIPS expert provides information about strategies to enhance practice performance and reimbursement in MIPS.

Roundtables

The MHCC periodically convenes roundtables to inform program planning and obtain stakeholder feedback on diverse health care topics

Health Equity Practice Roundtable (HE Roundtable) 

The purpose of the HE Roundtable is to identify challenges and opportunities for practices seeking to address key health equity concerns in their communities. Roundtable participants consist of representatives from advanced care delivery practices. The MHCC aims to advance health equity in ambulatory practices in Maryland through the development of health equity practice resources informed by HE Roundtable feedback.

Meeting Materials

July 13, 2022

Meeting Materials

June 1, 2022

May 4, 2022

March 30, 2022

Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Measures Roundtable (PRO Measures Roundtable)

The PRO Measures Roundtable includes advanced care delivery representatives along with select payers, consumers, and practices.  The aim of the roundtable is to identify challenges and opportunities for practices seeking to implement PRO measures in care delivery.  The roundtable discussion will inform the development of PRO measure resources for practices, such as information briefs or learning symposiums. 

Meeting Materials

April 20, 2022

Resources

• Bazemore, A., Phillips, R. L., Jr, Glazier, R., & Tepper, J. (2018). Advancing Primary Care Through Alternative Payment Models: Lessons from the United States & Canada. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29743214/. 
• Berdahl, C. T., Easterlin, M. C., Ryan, G., Needleman, J., & Nuckols, T. K. (2019). Primary Care Physicians in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): a Qualitative Investigation of Participants' Experiences, Self-Reported Practice Changes, and Suggestions for Program Administrators. Journal of General Internal Medicine. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31367868/. 
• Cheng, J., Kim, J., Bieber, S. D., & Lin, E. (2020). Four years into MACRA: What has Changed? Seminars in Dialysis. Available at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6980361/.
• Kauffman, D. M., Borden, W. B., & Choi, B. G. (2020). Maximizing Performance in Medicare's Merit Based Incentive Payment System: A Financial Model to Optimize Health Information Technology Resource Allocation. Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision and Financing. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33174501/.
• Khullar, D., Bond, A. M., Qian, Y., O'Donnell, E., Gans, D. N., & Casalino, L. P. (2021). Physician Practice Leaders' Perceptions of Medicare's Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Journal of General Internal Medicine. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33835310/. 
• Leung, T. I., & van Merode, G. G. (2018). Value-Based Health Care Supported by Data Science. Fundamentals of Clinical Data Science. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31314239/.
• Moloney, R. M., Messner, D. A., Wessler, Z., & Tunis, S. R. (2021). Proposed Framework for Patient-Centered Outcomes-Based Measures in Alternative Payment Models. The American Journal of Managed Care. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577156/ 
• Teisberg, E., Wallace, S., & O'Hara, S. (2020). Defining and Implementing Value-Based Health Care: A Strategic Framework. Academic Medicine: Journal of The Association of American Medical Colleges. Available at: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31833857/. 

Additional Information

American Medical Association Quality Payment Program (QPP) Specifics

Access to podcasts, summaries of the QPP final rule, and QPP resources by State and specialty

APMs

Overview of APMs, types of APMs, and participation criteria

CMS Value-Based Programs 

Information about federal value-based care programs and their goals 

CMS QPP Resource Library

General QPP resources, such as user guides, measures, webinars, and reporting guidance

CMS QPP Look Up Tool

Determine practice eligibility for MIPS and view QPP participation status by performance year

MIPS

Information about eligibility, participation options, requirements, and reporting options 

Contact Information 

For more information, contact Melanie Cavaliere at melanie.cavaliere@maryland.gov