Health Care Financing Administration 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD. 21244-1850

Q -- ENHANCING WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING METHODS OF ASSESSING MEDICAL REVIEW EFFECTIVENESS POC Linda M. Cumberland, Contract Specialist 410-786-9954 The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) intends to contract on a sole-source basis with The Lewin Group, for the purchase of services to continue their work on enhancing written specifications and instructions necessary for HCFA and Medicare contractors to implement and interpret the results of the methodologies identified in the current contract. This contract will be for one year, plus a 1-year option, beginning on or before September 30, 1998. The Lewin Group is currently developing the written specifications and instructions for two performance methods which HCFA and Medicare contractors could use in assessing the effectiveness of Parts A and B medical review activities. These methodologies are termed the Intervention Tracking Method (ITM), and the Provider Compliance Rate (PCR) method which were developed by The Lewin Group under a previous contract. The Lewin Group shall provide detailed and comprehensive specifications and instructions necessary for HCFA and Medicare contractors to implement and interpret the results of the methodologies identified in the current HCFA contract; and enhancements related to the ITM and PCR methods. The enhancements shall include requirements for formats for data, information flow, data collection and reporting, an objective process for monitoring balloon effects (e.g., objectively selecting which services/procedures to monitor), extrapolating sample results to the universe, and cost benefit analysis associated with recommended changes to current HCFA and Medicare contractor operations. These shall also include providing HCFA with instructions for self-auditing the results of both methodologies (i.e., quality assurance process). Potential sources may identify their interest and capability in response to the above requirements by submitting clear and convincing documentation that fully defines their capability to meet the established requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interest expressed within 15 calendar days of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of HCFA. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Written requests should be submitted to HCFA, Office of Acquisition and Grants, ATTN: Linda M. Cumberland, Contract Specialist, 7500 Security Blvd., Bldg. C2-21-15, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. See Note Number 22 Posted 07/22/98 (I-SN227036). (0203)

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