New York is ahead of other states in developing quality measures for poor and elderly residents with multiple chronic conditions, by virtue of early work done by the New York State Department of Health and IPRO. That’s a finding included in a new report from the United Hospital Fund that examines the need for measures addressing the quality of services provided to “dual eligibles” who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as individuals with multiple physical and mental health deficits and long term care needs. The report author notes that beginning in April 2012, adult dual eligibles in need of more than 120 days of community-based long term care will be required to be enrolled in managed long term care plans or long-term care coordination programs. In relation to other states, New York is viewed as in “an enviable place” in developing quality measures for individuals with multiple chronic conditions. The author singles out the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH’s) Quality Assurance Reporting Requirements; the managed long term care plan member satisfaction survey created by IPRO; and the managed care Supplemental Security Income (SSI) survey developed by IPRO and NYSDOH to assess services provided to blind and disabled seniors. “Quality measures for high-risk populations should be closely aligned with requirements for care management organizations,” according to study author Alice Lind, RN, MPH, of the New Jersey-based Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. For a copy of “Measuring Quality for Complex Medicaid Beneficiaries in New York,” visit UHF’s website at www.uhfnyc.org.