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OCTOBER 7, 2015  
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2015 Physician Quality Reporting System Deadline Fast Approaching
 
By: Barb Pritchard

In 2006, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act implemented the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (now called Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)), which became permanent in 2008 with the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).
 
December 31, 2015 Deadline
The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) deadline is fast-approaching of which most physicians are eligible. You have until December 31, 2015 to:
  • Determine your eligibility by going to the CMS 2015 Beginner Reporter Toolkit 
  • Choose your reporting mechanism based on your eligibility
  • Choose which quality measures to report
  • Report your data 
Beginning in 2015, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) using Method II Billing may participate in PQRS by all reporting mechanisms, including claims-based reporting. 
 
Why participate in PQRS?

  • To avoid PQRS and Value Modifier (VBM) payment penalties.
  • PQRS is used as part of the EHR meaningful use program to capture data that can lead to improved patient care.
  • PQRS data will be used as part of the calculation of the Value Based Modifier (starting in 2015 for groups of 100 or more EPs from 2013 performance, and in 2016 for groups with 10 or more EPs from 2014 performance) and will be calculated for all physicians who participate in Fee-For-Services Medicare in evaluating quality and cost of care starting in 2017 based on 2015 performance data.
  • The act also required a posting of those "eligible professionals" or "group practices" that satisfactorily reported under PQRS using the Medicare Physician Compare website
In addition, beginning in 2017, there will be a penalty phase for EPs and Group Practices that fail to report 2015 data.
 
Next steps
Eide Bailly encourages you to take action today by visiting CMS' 2015 Beginner Reporter Toolkit to determine your eligibility and complete the steps outlined on the site to comply with this important reporting requirement by end of year.
 
Questions?
Please contact Barb Pritchard or your Eide Bailly service provider. We will gladly assist you with this process.

   
Barb Pritchard
Health Care Consulting Manager

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