CMS Updates PQRI for 2008

In Brief: CMS updated its Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for 2008, including dates, resources, and information about eligibility and participation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) for the 2008 calendar year. PQRI, a pay-for-reporting program designed to improve the quality of patient care provided to Medicare beneficiaries, is available for physiatrists who see patients in clinical areas such as osteoporosis, geriatric issues, stroke, and others. Please note the following:

• CMS PQRI resources for the 2008 calendar year are available at www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.

• The 2008 PQRI reporting period is January 1-December 31, 2008. Eligible professionals who want to report for 2008 PQRI and are not already reporting quality-data codes on claims with 2008 dates of service should begin reporting as soon as possible.

• Physiatrists may receive a bonus of 1.5 percent of their total Medicare-allowed charges for covered services payable under the Physician Fee Schedule if they elect to participate in the PQRI program. The 1.5-percent financial incentive and its funding source for 2008 are the same as for 2007.

• Physiatrists should review the 119 CMS-approved measures and select the three that are most applicable to their practice.

• To participate, physiatrists must have a National Provider Identifier and use diagnostic codes that are included in both the Prospective Payment System and the selected PQRI measures.

• 2008 PQRI Fast Facts for Physiatrists (PDF download)

For further information, please contact Jeremiah Peterson, Manager of Quality and Research, at 312-464-3918 or jpeterson@aapmr.org.