Each calendar year, the Department of Medical Assistance Services’ (DMAS’) contracted external quality review organization (EQRO) collects, synthesizes, and reports on several measures, including cardiovascular disease. The EQRO uses the methodology that the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) delineated through its published HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) technical specifications for calculating this measure.  The rates are calculated using administrative data and medical record abstraction for data collections.  The work of the EQRO is monitored by the Division of Health Care Services at DMAS. The percent result is available at or around the end of each calendar year based on services provided in the prior calendar year.