Final answer:
Eligible entities for HEDIS results under a custom, no-cost license include healthcare organizations, providers, researchers, and health services companies focused on quality improvement. These measures are integral to analyzing performance and reducing healthcare costs in line with ACA regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) publishes the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), which is a tool used by more than 90 percent of America's health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service. Specifically, HEDIS results can be utilized under a custom, no-cost license by healthcare organizations and providers, as well as researchers and health services companies interested in improving healthcare quality. These entities use HEDIS measures to analyze and benchmark performance, which aids in identifying gaps in care and opportunities for improvement. For example, health plans can use HEDIS data to assess whether patients are receiving preventive screenings, managing chronic conditions effectively, or accessing appropriate post-hospitalization follow-up. By doing so, healthcare organizations can endeavor to reduce healthcare costs, such as those associated with avoidable hospital admissions or complications from unmanaged chronic diseases.
The eligibility for using HEDIS results under a custom, no-cost license aligns with the efforts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to control healthcare costs and improve healthcare quality. Through regulations such as capping administrative costs and encouraging the switch to electronic medical records (EMRs), the ACA seeks to enhance efficiency and patient care which is in harmony with the objectives of HEDIS.