Back Pain Recognition Program focuses on high value, patient centered care.

WASHINGTON – The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced that Dr. Benjamin A. Caruso of Fairport, NY has received Recognition from the Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP) for providing superior care to his patients suffering from low back pain.

The Back Pain Recognition Program was designed to improve the quality of care to the 30 million Americans who experience low back pain, and by motivating other physicians and chiropractors to document and improve their delivery of spine care. To receive recognition, which is valid for two years, Dr. Caruso submitted data demonstrating performance that meets the Program’s key measures. These measures include appropriate imaging for acute back pain and recommendation for exercise, among others.

Back pain is among the most common ailments in America. Each year, nearly 1 in 9 Americans experience pain severe enough to impair their usual daily activities. Treatment costs total approximately $91 billion a year and accounts for 25 percent of all workers’ compensation claims. The BPRP is the first independent program to systematically evaluate back pain care. NCQA developed the program’s requirements from widely accepted medical evidence with significant input from back pain specialists, and health plan and employer representatives. BPRP-Recognized physicians and chiropractors provide patients with the care that best meets their needs, restores health and mobility and avoids unnecessary treatment procedures. By earning recognition, Dr. Caruso has demonstrated that he consistently provides proven evidence based care to his patients.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes physicians in key clinical areas. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information through the Web, media and data licensing agreements in order to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.