Website Pilot Project- Phase II

In light of the release of the 9th Statement of Work (SOW), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determined there was a need for a website capable of identifying and connecting potential 9th SOW collaborators. CMS created the Website Pilot Project- Phase I project to demonstrate the effectiveness of a website tool in the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program with the goal of improving the economy and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. In January 2008, CMS contracted with the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC) to design, operationalize, and monitor the website, identified as QIOSynergy.org.

In August 2008, CMS determined that the QIOSynergy.org website should continue in the 9th SOW, and contracted with CFMC for Phase II of the project. The new phase will continue reaching out to QIOs and Partners across the country with the intent of creating collaborative relationships to ensure the success of the QIO program in the 9th SOW.

What is QIOSynergy.org?

QIOSynergy.org is a new website funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designed to connect potential partners who share common goals and a commitment to improving the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

How will the QIOSynergy.org website support QIOs in the 9th SOW?

As a QIO, if you need a subcontractor to support your core work or future special projects in 9th SOW, the QIOSynergy.org website will help you to find that organization or individual. The website encourages healthcare entities, who have expertise on 9SOW topics and who would like to partner with the QIOs, to list their organization on the site. The website asks the “Partners” to identify the qualifications, experience, and geographical reach of their organization. This permits QIOs to select organizations capable of supporting their efforts in the core contract as well as in special projects. The website currently has over 60 organizations listed on the site.

If I am an outside organization and want to partner with a QIO, what do I do?

Visit the Get Listed page to fill out the registration form. Please be prepared to provide contact information, a description of your expertise and interests for partnering, and your geographic areas of operation. Information submitted to the website will be posted to the Partners page within two business days.

Have any QIOs used the website to identify entities to work with in the 9th SOW?

Yes, QIOs have already used the website to successfully identify Partners to support their 9th SOW endeavors. The CFMC team is currently working to broaden the Partner representation on the website and thus provide the QIOs with a more comprehensive list of healthcare entities who might support their work.

What are the next steps for the QIOSynergy.org website?

The objective of the website team is to create linkages between and among QIOs and Partners in the 9th SOW. We need your help to make QIOSynergy.org a meaningful and effective tool. Please let us know what you want this website to do for you. There is a “feedback” page on the Website that is ready to receive your suggestions and comments. Please take a moment to help us help you.

Thank you for visiting the CFMC website to learn more about QIOSynergy.org!

To provide feedback, visit www.QIOSynergy.org, and click on the Feedback tab.

Information for Potential Partners

Please note: The information submitted by potential partners on QIOSynergy.org is presented "as is" and without warranties, either expressed or implied. Some links on this site lead to resources maintained by third parties. As such, CFMC and QIOSynergy.org make no representation as to the accuracy, appropriateness or any other aspect of the information contained on the linked pages.

Questions?

For additional information about QIOSynergy.org, please contact:

Ann Romaglia, Project Manager, 303.669-2689 or aromaglia@coqio.sdps.org
Laura Mankin, Project Assistant, 303.784.5755 or lmankin@coqio.sdps.org