From March through mid-May 2006, HNE once again will request copies of medical records in order to conduct data abstraction. We will use this data to measure health care outcomes and to perform medical record documentation review.

HNE strives to ensure that it has a rich administrative database from which to perform the annual HEDIS measurement project.  However, where practitioner offices do not supply properly coded claim/encounter data, or where the data can be obtained only from medical record review, such as blood pressure monitoring, HNE must obtain vital information from the actual medical record.  As always, HNE appreciates practitioner office cooperation for this project.

A HEDIS Fact Sheet, which explains HEDIS measures, is available on the HNE website. Questions about HEDIS or the collection process should be directed to Pat Scheer, HNE's Quality Operations Manager at 1-413-233-3435 or pscheer@hne.com

* HEDIS is a registered trademark of NCQA