AAPM&R and Other Medical Societies Express Concern with CMS Exerting Greater Control over Physician Performance Measure Development

The Academy recently signed a letter, along with numerous other medical state and specialty societies, drafted by the American Medical Association (AMA) that expresses concern with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directing Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) to independently develop and/or facilitate physician performance measures for the Physician Voluntary Reporting Program. The AMA believes this is an attempt by CMS to exert greater control over physician measure development by diminishing the role of the AMA convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (Consortium). According to the AMA, it is vital that physician performance measures are developed through a rigorous and transparent process that involves numerous physician specialties. The Consortium has an established process that meets these criteria and regularly seeks National Quality Forum endorsement of its measures.

To view the letter (PDF format), click here.