1. Herb Escobar SRA International, Inc.
MEPRS Update: Active Feedback and Continuous Process Improvement TRICARE Conference 26 January 2005 Washington, DC Track 6, #068
Herb Escobar SRA International, Inc.

2. Typical applications include:
The Medical Expense & Performance Reporting System (MEPRS) is the standard cost accounting system for the Military Health System (MHS), containing Tri-Service financial, personnel, and workload data from reporting medical and dental treatment facilities worldwide.
Typical applications include:
Health Affairs / Services Performance Contract “HA Instrument Panel”
Prospective Payment System (PPS) metrics and reconciliation
Accrual Fund and TRICARE for Life (TFL) rates, reconciliation and evaluation
UBO billing rates (ASAs, APVs, Tent-Care, MAC, Inter-Agency, Anesthesia, etc)
Six Sigma MTF performance metrics (S2M3)
MILCON / Capital Project justification
Patient-level SIDR and SADR costs on M2
MTF care Valuation and Efficiency metrics
Optimization and Continuous Process Improvement implementation and evaluation
Next-Generation TRICARE contracts benefit development and evaluation
Service Business Case Analyses and MTF “make vs. buy” assessments
PB&E budgeting and execution analyses
DoD/VA and internal/external partnership program reporting and evaluation
HPA&E evaluation and analyses initiatives
MEPRS is the ONLY MHS cost accounting system containing uniform Tri-Service financial, workload, and personnel information.
MEPRS data are routinely used by TMA, the Services and MTFs for critical policy and management decisions, as well as program evaluation

3. Active Feedback and Continuous Process Improvement
MEPRS
MEPRS Data Surveillance and Management Metrics
Stepdown Expenses
Ancillary • Support
Data-Based MEPRS Education
Improved MEPRS Data Quality
2 years ago a conceptual framework was instituted to address MEPRS data completion and data quality challenges head-on
It’s premise was two-fold:
If you educate MEPRS personnel on the importance of MEPRS, with emphasis on proper interpretation and application of MEPRS data and data quality, MEPRS personnel would be empowered and improvements in data quality and completeness would result
To ensure the anticipated data improvements were realized, progress was to be monitored through centralized data quality surveillance, providing monthly feedback to MTFs, Service and TMA leadership.
Those initiatives were called the MEPRS Application and Data Improvement (MADI) workshop and the MEPRS Early Warning and Control System (MEWACS).
MEPRS Information Sharing
MEPRS Policy and Business Rules Oversight

4. MEPRS Data Surveillance and Management Metrics
MEPRS Early Warning and Control System (MEWACS) provides monthly MEPRS data quality feedback, systematically highlighting potential MTF data anomalies
Human Systems Interface (HSI) provides expert assistance to the field, serving as the link between MEPRS education and data quality surveillance initiatives.
Six Sigma- Key MEPRS- based performance metrics:
Pharmacy Dispensing Costs
FTEs per occupied bed day
Ratio of support personnel to providers
Pharmacy workload per pharmacy FTE
Laboratory workload per lab FTE
Inpatient costs per RWP
Ambulatory costs per APG
The Six Sigma MEPRS Management Metrics (S2M3) workbook is an interactive tool containing seven key MEPRS-based performance metrics
S2M3 is a blend of Direct Care and civilian industry benchmark metrics
Updated Semi-annually on the FY

5. MEPRS Training, Education and Information Sharing
Tri-Service MEPRS Application and Data Improvement (MADI) worldwide workshops
National MEPRS Conference attended by hundreds of Tri-Service MEPRS and RM personnel
MEPRS.INFOrmer is the new MEPRS quarterly newsletter launched in 2003
Updates MEPRS stakeholders on policy issues, data quality activities, and best practices for MEPRS process improvement
MEPRS Conference Exhibit provides thousands of MHS personnel the opportunity to interact with centrally available MEPRS tools and metrics, and learn about resources available through the MEPRS Information Portal
MADI attendance detail:
Air Force: 32 Army: Navy: TMA/DoD: 14 Total:

6. MEPRS Information Web Portal: http://www.MEPRS.info
The MEPRS Information Portal is the gateway to MEPRS-related resources, including policy documents, learning materials, data quality surveillance tools, metrics, and much more
The MEPRS.INFO web portal is hosted at the TRICARE web server –
The MEPRS Information Portal is the gateway to MEPRS-related resources, including policy documents, learning materials, data quality surveillance tools, and much more
Based on site traffic statistics and comments received, all indications are that it is a success
Plans are for its continued growth as the MEPRS Program matures. For example, distance learning capability, virtual communities through forums and discussion groups, and integration with other TMA CFO web resources.
MEPRS Information Web Portal: