Which system was established by Medicare to ensure accountability of managed care plans?

The system established by Medicare to ensure accountability of managed care plans is the Quality Improvement System for Managed Care, known as QISMC. This initiative was designed to enhance the quality of care in managed care settings by implementing standardized quality measurement and improvement processes. Through QISMC, Medicare tracks the performance of managed care plans, ensuring that they meet certain standards of care effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and compliance with health regulations. By focusing on these quality indicators, QISMC aims to hold managed care organizations accountable for the health outcomes of their enrolled members and ultimately improve the overall quality of care provided.

In contrast, the other options serve different purposes or focus on different aspects of healthcare. For example, QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) is more general and pertains to quality improvement in various healthcare settings. EQRO (External Quality Review Organization) pertains to the evaluation and reporting of state Medicaid programs but does not specifically address accountability of managed care plans in the same manner as QISMC. Similarly, NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) provides accreditation and quality evaluation for managed care organizations, but it operates as a private non-profit entity and not specifically within the Medicare program's framework. Hence, QISMC is the most appropriate choice for this question