The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) to help healthcare professionals improve the quality and delivery of patient care. Eligible professionals (EPs) could use the PQRS metrics to assess care quality and track the average quality of care over time. Additionally, EPs could compare their metrics to their peers based on tallies the CMS shared.
With the introduction of the MACRA and the associated Quality Payment Program (QPP), the PQRS was phased out as a standalone program in 2017. Instead, the CMS rolled parts of the PQRS into the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) — the more popular of the two payment tracks that the QPP offers to physicians.
What Metrics Does the PQRS Track?
While participation in the PQRS was entirely voluntary, participating gave healthcare providers a set of metrics that helped track and improve the quality of care they delivered to patients. In addition, with a focus on long-term initiatives, the CMS offered quality measures pertinent to the provider's area of specialty.
General categories of measures in the PQRS revolved around patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, clinical effectiveness, and public health. However, the PQRS also tracked specific metrics within a category. For instance, patient engagement would have tracked measures relating to preventative health, chronic management, and follow-ups.
Quality measures have changed slightly since the CMS rolled the PQRS into the MIPS program. Now, the six areas tracked for MIPS purposes include patient safety, patient experience, care coordination, efficiency measures, appropriate use, and case outcome. Additionally, whereas PQRS was an optional program, MIPS reporting is required for providers billing more than a specific amount annually.
How TempDev Can Help You With Quality Measures
TempDev’s team of experienced consultants, developers, and trainers are here to support enhanced accessibility, as well as customized features and templates. This enables you and your patients to have more control over data with improved transparency.
As part of our streamlining process, we help you implement the Patient Portal, API, and other tools to better support safety, patient engagement, and security. From dashboards to automation and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the comprehensive resources and tools you need to ensure compliance with quality programs.
Contact us here or by calling us at 888.TEMP.DEV to ensure compliance quality programs, including the QPP.
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