PQRS: Steps Needed to Report via EHR

August 1, 2016

Written by Sarah Leake

Congratulations on choosing EHR reporting mechanism for PQRS in 2016.  And, YEAH, to your vendor for having electronic CQM reporting a viable option.  Make sure you have clarified your EHR’s capability for reporting by knowing the answers to these questions –

• Do you have the correct CEHRT version installed?
  Minimally you will need the 2014 EHR Certified Version of your software installed.
• What version of the eCQMs will I need for reporting?
  Individual EPs and PQRS group practices reporting electronically are required to use the eCQM Specifications for Eligible Professionals Updated June 2015 and eCQM Specifications for Eligible Hospitals Update June 2015. To view more information, click on this direct link to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program’s eCQM Library.  Look under the section of eCQMs for eReporting for the 2016 Reporting Period for eligible provider and for hospital.
• Does Vendor support EHR Direct or Direct Submission Vendor method?
  An EHR DSV is an entity that collects clinical quality data directly from the EP’s or PQRS group practice’s CEHRT. DSVs are responsible for submitting PQRS measures data from an individual EP’s or PQRS group practice’s CEHRT to CMS via a CMS specified format(s) on behalf of the EP or the PQRS group practice for the program year.
• What measures are available for reporting?
• Do you have the specific software modules to report PQRS measures in the QRDA Format?
• Can the EHR report the entire year of CQM Data?

Here are the reporting requirements for PQRS in 2016.

For 2016 reporting, EPs must report at least 9 measures covering a minimum of 3 National Quality Strategy (NQS) domains. If the EP’s CEHRT does not contain patient data for at least 9 measures covering at least 3 domains, then the EP must report all the measures for which there is Medicare patient data. An EP must report on at least 1 measure containing Medicare patient data and report on all payers.

Individual EPs and PQRS group practices have the following CEHRT-based reporting options –

1. Submit PQRS quality measure data directly from the CEHRT, or
2. Submit PQRS quality measure data extracted from their CEHRT to a qualified EHR data submission vendor (DSV) who submits on behalf of the EP or PQRS group practice.

Links

PQRS – Electronic Reporting Using an Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Leave a reply, ask a question or share information using the “Leave a Reply” section below, or email Sarah Leake directly with your questions or comments.

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See Meaningful Use Blog

See MACRA-QPP Blog

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