The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released two reports to provide physicians information about quality and resource performance. The reports include an April 30 mid-year quality and resource use report (MYQRUR) that provides physicians individual feedback, and a May 5 report outlining CMS’ strategic vision for physician quality reporting.
The QRUR report provides updated feedback to individual physicians and group practices on their performance on cost and claims-based quality measures used in the physician Value-Based Modifier (VM), Medicare pay-for-performance program. While the data in the feedback report will not be directly used for the VM calculation, the interim report marks the first time CMS has provided directional feedback on provider performance midway through the performance period.
Unlike previous reports, the recent QRUR’s are available to participants in Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) accountable care organizations (ACOs), Pioneer ACOs, and Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPCI).
Additionally, CMS outlined a plan to use physician quality measurement to support the agency’s strategic vision and move to a future state “in which quality measurement and reporting are seamlessly woven into the fabric of healthcare delivery.” CMS plans to achieve its vision by focusing on the following five statements:
- CMS quality reporting programs are guided by input from patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
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Feedback and data drives rapid cycle quality improvement.
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Public reporting provides meaningful, transparent, and actionable information.
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Quality reporting programs rely on an aligned measure portfolio.
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Quality reporting and value-based purchasing program policies are aligned.