More healthcare professionals are participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System and E-Prescribing Incentive Program, according to a new report published by CMS.
PQRS, formerly known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, provides incentive payments to eligible professionals who satisfactorily report data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. The E-Prescribing Incentive Program is a separate federal initiative that pays eligible professionals incentives for becoming successful electronic prescribers.
Key findings from the CMS report on PQRS and e-Prescribing trends include the following:
• The PQRS and E-Prescribing Program collectively paid out more than $382 million in 2009 incentive payments.
• PQRS quality measures were expanded to include a broader set of specialties. Additional methods of reporting and data submission were also implemented, which is believed will promote participation.
• In 2009, 13 percent of eligible professionals participated in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. By comparison, less than 1 percent of eligible professionals reported in the E-Prescribing Program under PQRS in 2008.
• Participation increased through 2009 in both the PQRS and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs. Preliminary counts for 2010 indicate further increases in participation in these initiatives.
Read the CMS report about trends in the PQRS and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs (pdf).
Read other coverage about PQRS and e-prescribing:
- Physician Quality Reporting System: No New Anesthesiology Measures for 2011
- CMS Preparing to Launch "Physician Compare" Website
- Study: Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale Effectively Assesses Patient Recovery
PQRS, formerly known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, provides incentive payments to eligible professionals who satisfactorily report data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. The E-Prescribing Incentive Program is a separate federal initiative that pays eligible professionals incentives for becoming successful electronic prescribers.
Key findings from the CMS report on PQRS and e-Prescribing trends include the following:
• The PQRS and E-Prescribing Program collectively paid out more than $382 million in 2009 incentive payments.
• PQRS quality measures were expanded to include a broader set of specialties. Additional methods of reporting and data submission were also implemented, which is believed will promote participation.
• In 2009, 13 percent of eligible professionals participated in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. By comparison, less than 1 percent of eligible professionals reported in the E-Prescribing Program under PQRS in 2008.
• Participation increased through 2009 in both the PQRS and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs. Preliminary counts for 2010 indicate further increases in participation in these initiatives.
Read the CMS report about trends in the PQRS and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs (pdf).
Read other coverage about PQRS and e-prescribing:
- Physician Quality Reporting System: No New Anesthesiology Measures for 2011
- CMS Preparing to Launch "Physician Compare" Website
- Study: Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale Effectively Assesses Patient Recovery