• This is a Healthcare Effectiveness & Data Information Set (HEDIS®) hybrid measure.
• The annual reported rate captures activity during the stated measurement year (MY).
• The target trendline in the graph above represents the 50th national benchmark percentile for Medicaid programs across the country. 
• Vermont Medicaid produces this measure using the hybrid methodology, which combines administrative claims data with information taken from medical records. Blood pressure readings taken directly from the patient's medical record are required to run this measure. Therefore, DVHA did not establish baseline for the Controlling High Blood Pressure measure until 2014 when we first used the hybrid data collection specifications for this measure. DVHA did not produce this measure in 2017 or 2018, but did start running it again in 2019.

The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is a registered trademark of NCQA.

This measure shows the percentage of members 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of hypertension (HTN) and whose BP was adequately controlled (<140/90 mm Hg) during the measurement year.                                                       

• Adequate control is defined as both a representative systolic BP <140 mm Hg and a representative diastolic BP of <90 mm Hg.

The specifications of this measure are consistent with current clinical guidelines, such as those of the USPSTF and the Joint National Committee. Treatment to improve hypertension includes dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as appropriate use of medications.

Vermont Medicaid's performance on this measure has been below the national Medicaid 50th percentile benchmark.

Last updated: September 2021

Vermont Medicaid and OneCare VT's Quality Committees routinely align our work related to performance improvement projects. Both organizations regularly assess health outcomes for the populations we serve. This is done in part by producing key quality performance measures and analyzing our results. When this analysis indicates opportunities for improvement, we often partner together on new strategies and communication. In 2020 we joined forces with the Vermont Department of Health and are launching a project focused on management of hypertension (HTN).

Our project strategies will revolve around making blood pressure (BP) cuffs accessible and affordable, encouraging patients to join educational workshops that promote the importance of self-monitoring BPs and raising awareness amongst providers about measuring, diagnosing and documenting these BP readings in patient charts. Our team hopes that these interventions will enhance both care management and quality measure (CBP) data collection.

NCQA’s Notice of Copyright and Disclaimers 
“The source for certain health plan measure rates and benchmark (averages and percentiles) data (“the Data”) is Quality Compass® 2022 and is used with the permission of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (“NCQA”). Any analysis, interpretation or conclusion based on the Data is solely that of the authors, and NCQA specifically disclaims responsibility for any such analysis, interpretation or conclusion. Quality Compass is a registered trademark of NCQA. 

The Data comprises audited performance rates and associated benchmarks for Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures (“HEDIS® ”) and HEDIS CAHPS® survey measure results. HEDIS measures and specifications were developed by and are owned by NCQA. HEDIS measures and specifications are not clinical guidelines and do not establish standards of medical care. NCQA makes no representations, warranties or endorsement about the quality of any organization or clinician that uses or reports performance measures or any data or rates calculated using HEDIS measures and specifications, and NCQA has no liability to anyone who relies on such measures or specifications. 

NCQA holds a copyright in Quality Compass and the Data and can rescind or alter the Data at any time. The Data may not be modified by anyone other than NCQA. Anyone desiring to use or reproduce the Data without modification for an internal, noncommercial purpose may do so without obtaining approval from NCQA. All other uses, including a commercial use and/or external reproduction, distribution or publication, must be approved by NCQA and are subject to a license at the discretion of NCQA. © 2022 National Committee for Quality Assurance, all rights reserved. 

CAHPS is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).”