Today we have set out how we will work more effectively with four health insurers AXA, BUPA, AVIVA and Vitality in new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreements.
These agreements represent a public commitment from the health insurers to share information with us about the quality and safety of independent healthcare services. We will use this information to improve how it monitors quality and safety in these services, as part of maintaining an effective regulatory system, to ensure people are provided with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care.
As the main funders of care paid for privately, insurance companies hold data about the quality of care of providers they commission from, and data on experiences from claimants using those services.
Examples of the types of information that will be considered for sharing with CQC include:
- Claimants feedback of their experiences of care, including complaints
- Patient safety risks
- Evidence of emerging themes which may be indicative of a wider safety issue across a hospital or provider group
- Outcomes of insurer visits to services that identify safety issues
- Poor clinical treatment or poor clinical outcomes for patients
The information sharing agreements will also cover information about good practice and improvements in care as well as highlighting issues of concern.