What is HOS?
The Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) survey that gathers meaningful health status data from people with Medicare. Like the CMS Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) and Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), HOS is part of an integrated system for use in quality improvement activities and to establish accountability in managed care. All managed care plans with Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts, including CarePlus Health Plans, Inc., must participate.
How does HOS affect my patients and me?
HOS may be of interest to physicians as they could receive questions about the survey from their Medicare patients.
Survey questions pertain to patient-physician relationships and help identify areas for improving member health outcomes. Members are asked questions about overall physical and mental health status. They also are asked if they had a discussion about or received counseling or intervention from their physician on the following topics:
* Management of urinary incontinence
* Physical activity in older adults
* Fall risk management
* Osteoporosis testing in older women
CarePlus- participating physicians are encouraged to provide assessment and counseling for members in these particular areas.
How does HOS work?
A random sample of Medicare beneficiaries receives a baseline survey in the spring. Two years later, the same respondents will be surveyed for follow-up measurement. Survey completion is voluntary. The difference in the scores for the two-year period will show if members’ physical and mental health status are categorized as better, the same or worse than expected. After the study is completed, member responses will be shared with CarePlus to use in quality improvement initiatives.
Who conducts the survey?
A CMS- approved Medicare survey vendor conducts the survey.
For more information about HOS, please call the CarePlus Quality Operations Compliance and Accreditation Department at 305-626-5195.