Explained below are a few commonly used MIPS Quality Measures that Qualified Registries use to submit for the Quality category.
- Hemoglobin A1c Poor Control >9%
- Heart Failure (HF): Beta-Blocker Therapy
- Anti-Depressant Medication Management
- AMD: Dilated Macular Examination
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician
- On-Going Care Post-Fracture for Men and Women
- Advance Care Plan
Am I eligible for MIPS incentives in 2022?
The question that we hear a lot. And, I have to say it is your right to know.
Whether you are a general physician or a surgeon, submission of MIPS Quality measures leads the way to incentives.
So, now, fast-forward one year, we hear the question:
Am I eligible for MIPS 2021? Can I target up to 5% MIPS incentives in 2023?
There is a lot to accomplish this year, and the reporting requirements are already tough with the corona pandemic. A MIPS Qualified Registry is therefore a necessary partner that can take up your administrative load and help you submit data with the right strategy.
Why?
The government started MIPS back in 2017 to incentivize eligible clinicians, and in return, improve the quality of healthcare. In short, it ensures ECs submit measures for the good of their patients – they will have permanent access to quality care.
The purpose here is to write down a MIPS Quality measures list that includes at least some measures and leave the rest to update in the future. Therefore, you’ll see some of them if not all; we’ll keep updating it, hopefully.
I also hope to provide info not only for family and general physicians but for specialists too. In an ideal system, the MDs, and DOs work in rhythmic harmony for better care coordination and patient experience.
Difference between an MD and a DO
For those of us who don’t know what an MD is, it is short for Medical Doctor, while DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Although they may use all the available methods to treat their patients, including drugs and surgery, DOs believe in a more holistic approach. So, by definition, DOs emphasize preventive medicine, musculoskeletal health, and holistic care. Having said that, it doesn’t mean MDs are any less skilled or vice versa. Both are equally capable.
The Expertise of Both Specialists
Both specialists, MDs and DOs, can choose to practice in any specialty. And, on a larger scale, both lend their expertise to promote quality healthcare to patients translating CMS MIPS quality measures.
AMA (American Medical Association) studied that in 2018, up to 57% of more DOs preferred to practice in primary care compared to 32% of the MDs.
So, the total statistics for DOs participation in primary care were:
- 9% went for family physicians
- 8% went for internists
- 8% went for pediatricians
However, both programs offer a license, thus, it does not matter what program a student pursues.
Define the Quality Performance Category
One of the categories of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is the Quality performance category! And it holds a 45% weight in the total score.
What does it account for?
It measures your performance in clinical activities and patient outcomes. MIPS data submission through Quality measures helps assess health care processes, manage results, and patient experiences. As a result, we can expect the highest quality of care while keeping expenses to a minimum. Hence, the achievement of the value-based care purpose.
Understanding CMS MIPS Quality Measures
Diabetes: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Poor Control (>9%)
Diabetes, a menace, to say the least, shadows quite a part of the US population. How can we put a lid on it? Well, the answer lies in value-based care. More importantly, it is MIPS quality reporting that will eventually decrease the number of diabetics across the country.
This particular measure says to submit data on your patients from the age of 18-75 with diabetes who had hemoglobin A1c > 9.0% during the measurement period.
A CMS eCQM is available for this outcome measure. And the collection types for this measure include:
- Medicare Part B Claims
- eCQM (electronic-clinical quality measure)
- CMS Web Interface
- MIPS CQM (clinical quality measure)
Since one of the collection types of this measure is MIPS CQM, so you can submit it through a registry. No doubt, it is one of the most effective of all the MIPS data submission methods thus far.
You can submit it if you are part of the following areas, provided you fulfill the low-volume threshold for MIPS:
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Preventive medicine
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Nutrition/dietician
Heart Failure (HF): Beta-Blocker Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)
Measure number 2 is related to the heart. American Academy of Cardiologists
It includes people aged 18 and above who were diagnosed with heart failure (HF) with a present or past left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and were prescribed beta-blocker therapy either within a year of procedure in an outpatient setting or at each hospital discharge.Reporting MIPS through this measure sets the tone for the management of chronic conditions. Gladly, it is available in both eCQM and CQM types, thus acceptable through various sources.Specialties for which this measure is suitable include:
- Cardiology
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Hospitalists
- Skilled nursing facility
Anti-Depressant Medication Management
Psychiatrists act as pillars of healthcare when it comes to mental health treatment. Especially, their role is critical through the COVID-19 pandemic. So, could there be a worse time for mental health issues to rise? Well, it could be worse!
Being grateful and using empathy as a tool to interact with people around us is needed for sure. The description of this measure that we have with us is mostly for eligible psychiatrists. MIPS 2020 presents numerous measures to report with accuracy and data integrity as the two requirements.
It is quality measure #9, according to the official fact sheet released by CMS.
How do we describe it?
It aims to find a percentage of people aged 18 years and above who were treated for mental illness and prescribed antidepressants. As per their depression symptoms, they have been prescribed medication for months. You should report the following two types:
- First, the percentage of patients who were on antidepressants for at least 84 days (12 weeks)
- Second, the percentage of patients who were on antidepressants for at least 180 days (6 months)
Why is this measure meaningful?
It is in line with the prevention and treatment of opioid and substance use disorders. A MIPS consulting firm helps you select the right measures to report. More importantly, it is the accuracy and data completeness that matter to maximize MIPS incentives.
The collection type available for this measure is eCQM. Moreover, the specialties that this measure services include:
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Mental/behavioral health
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Dilated Macular Examination
Eyes let us see the beauty around us, thankfully. They show us the world as it is. In this quality measure, people aged 50 years and above are to participate. As an EC, you are to report it once they are diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), followed by a dilated macular examination.
Further, it led to the recording of the presence or absence of macular thickening or geographic atrophy, or hemorrhage and the intensity of the damage caused during one or more office visits within the 12-month assessment period.
Henceforth, this measure assesses the chronic conditions management area. Ophthalmologists are to report it through their MIPS consultant. MIPS solutions and sending MIPS data via clinical quality measures type are doable with plenty of support from qualified registries.
The collection type for this measure includes:
- Medicare Part B Claims
- MIPS CQM
In fact, it is only available for the ophthalmology specialty.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care
As the title clearly says, the measure goes against the menace of diabetes and its effect on the eyes. Value-based care becomes viable to bring back quality into healthcare, and at the same time dial-down, healthcare costs.
The measure specifications for clinicians help in its understanding. Our research concluded this measure to be part of the MIPS Quality measures list released officially by CMS.
Essentially, MIPS 2020 covers the continuing process of our healthcare, moving in the right direction. Let us see what the measure means:
“Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed with documented communication to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes mellitus regarding the findings of the macular or fundus exam at least once within 12 months.”
Willing to go after MIPS data submission for this measure? It is most likely to score high if reported accurately. That is where P3 comes in to report to CMS on your behalf. The basics of this measure put it amongst the CQMs and eCQMs. Moreover, it is a high-priority measure applicable to the ophthalmology specialty.
Communication with the Physician or Other Clinician Managing On-Going Care Post-Fracture for Men and Women Aged 50 Years and Older
It is a measure that directly informs of the health of our seniors as far as their fractures and overall health is concerned. The meaningful area under discussion here is the Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Promoting Interoperability.
What does the measure exactly mean?
According to CMS, it derives the following explanation:
“Percentage of patients aged 50 years and older treated for a fracture with documentation of communication, between the physician treating the fracture and the physician or other clinician managing the patient’s on-going care, that a fracture occurred and that the patient was or should be considered for osteoporosis treatment or testing.”
It is submitted by the physician who treats the fracture and who therefore is held accountable for the communication. A high priority measure, to begin with, you can use Medicare Part B Claims and MIPS CQMs as its collection types.
As an EC, if you are part of the following specialties, you can choose to report this measure.
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Orthopedic surgery
- Preventive medicine
- Rheumatology
Advance Care Plan
The Advance Care Plan deals with many branches of healthcare, including Cardiology, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Neurology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and more.
How Do We Describe this MIPS Quality Measure?
MIPS in healthcare defines this measure by the percentage of patients aged 65 years or older with an Advance Care Plan. This measure is also valid for those patients who document another decision-maker on their behalf as a surrogate on authentic medical records.
Another situation is when the medical records show that the Advance Care Plan was discussed with the patient, but they could not provide a surrogate neither they wished to.
MIPS Reporting Instruction for Advance Care Plan
MIPS 2020
MIPS eligible clinicians can submit this quality measure for just one patient seen throughout the performance period. There is no specific diagnosis attached to this MIPS Quality Measure. However, the MIPS Qualified Registry on behalf of physicians can submit data for the quality services provided to the patient based on the measure-specific denominator coding.
It is to note that that this measure applies to all healthcare settings, be it nursing homes, etc., except for emergencies.
MIPS 2021
The MIPS Quality Measure #047 is supposed to be submitted to CMS in regards to the Advanced Care Plan. Clinicians have to report it once for the whole MIPS 2021 performance year. Also, this measure is not associated with any diagnosis.
MIPS eligible clinicians who have the measure-specific denominator coding and performed the quality activities can submit this measure. You can submit it individually, in a group, or via a third-party intermediary as MIPS Qualified Registry.
Measure Submission Type
Individual clinicians, groups, and third-party intermediaries such as a MIPS Qualified Registry submit the related data to CMS. However, only those third-party intermediaries can submit data, which used Medicare Part B claims.
Conclusion
Thus, paying special attention to the MIPS quality measures can maximize the chance to earn positive adjustments and even incentives.
It all depends on the CMS MIPS quality measures that you submit to CMS. Therefore, MDs and DOs, take time to strategize MIPS solutions properly and improve your financial situation.
