Patients' experiences of their own health care are essential indicators in improving quality and reducing costs. To capture valid and reliable measures of patient experience, AIR designed and is fielding a survey measuring consumer experiences with the Health Insurance Marketplaces. The survey is using Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) methodology. A team of organizations led by AIR is measuring consumer experiences with the Marketplaces. AIR manages the national fielding of the Qualified Health Plan Enrollee survey, conducted by Health and Human Services-approved vendors and provides quality assurance for over 80,000 annual Marketplace consumer responses to determine the quality of care they receive.
AIR analyzes QHP Enrollee survey data to assess validity and reliability of performance measures and provides quality measures included in the QHP Quality Rating System (QRS). The QRS blends administrative, claims, and survey measures to provide comprehensive assessments of health plan performance, which can be used by consumers to assist them in selecting a health plan. The project is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.