Of particular interest is the V8 group's expectation that health plans report on depression management programs in a standardized manner.

Standards streamline markets, whether the product is light bulbs or solid rocket boosters. Employers as health care purchasers have long sought standardized measurement to determine quality. While regional report cards and outcomes initiatives have yielded some results, the need for nationwide standards by which purchasers could measure quality and compare health plans was clear. Five years ago, the leadership of eight regional employer coalitions began meeting to establish such standards. Together, they realized that they could play a leadership role in driving standardization of data and quality reporting.

The group, called the V8, chose as its first initiative the development of a standardized Request for Information (RFI). In July of 2000, General Motors Corporation officially joined the group, bringing with it substantial experience in the evaluation of health plans. Early this year, Marriott International also joined the effort. In addition to coalitions and employers, accrediting bodies work in the RFI process to ensure that the work builds upon accreditation, but doesnt duplicate it. Government agencies, such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are active in developing the RFI.

 Three years ago, the V8 released its first standardized RFI, making it available to all NBCH members. Improved versions have emerged each ensuing year. The RFI focus is on quality of care and its parameters; price is not a direct part of the V8 equation. The group operates on the maxim that improved quality can be achieved by reducing or eliminating inefficiencies.

The NBCH V8 Group

• Buyers Health Care Action Group (MN)
• Central Florida Healthcare Coalition (Orlando)
• Gateway Purchasers for Health (St. Louis)
• Colorado Business Group on Health (Denver)
• Greater Detroit Area Health Council (Detroit)
• Health Policy Corp. of Iowa (Des Moines)
• Midwest Business Group on Health (Chicago)
• Pacific Business Group on Health (San Francisco)

Others Working with V8:

• General Motors Corporation
• Marriott International
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO)
• National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA)
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)