2020 MIPS data submitted

The Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) has completed the submission of 2020 MIPS Quality and Improvement Activity data for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Final scores will not be available until July.

NACOR dashboard unlocks on April 6

AQI unlocks the NACOR dashboard on April 6, 2021, allowing practices to edit their practice and provider lists. Providers who have retired or left a practice prior to January 1, 2021 should have their status set to "removed" on the provider list. Setting providers to "remove" will not impact historical data.

For more information, email AskAQI@asahq.org.

2021 NACOR XML schema changes effective April 6

AQI released updates to the 2021 NACOR XML schema. The changes are as follows:

• Updated "Copyright (C) 2020" to "Copyright (C) 2021"
• Removed AQIXMLVersionType enumeration "2020V1.0" added AQIXMLVersionType enumeration "2021V1.0"
• Removed AQIXMLVersionType enumeration "2020V1.0R" added AQIXMLVersionType enumeration "2021V1.0R"
• Added Elements: ProcedureName, ProcedureDescription. NOTE These elements are not required for 2021 and may be omitted
• Added enumeration for the QCDRMeasureType to allow reporting the QCDR Measure ePreop31: Intraoperative Hypotension among Non-Emergent Noncardiac Surgical Cases. Added <xs:pattern value="ePreop[0-9][0-9]" />
• Modified enumeration for the QCDRCodeValueType to allow reporting additional HCPCS codes which begin wtih an "M". Modified <xs:pattern value="[GM][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]"/>

All data files must be submitted using the new format, effective April 6, 2021. Visit AQI's Developers Resources page for the XML Schema and 2021 XML Test Validation tool. For questions, email askaqi@asahq.org.

AQI Vendor Webinar April 15

AQI is hosting a vendor webinar at 1:30 p.m. CST, Thursday, April 15. The agenda will include review of 2021 MIPS program changes, 2021 measure changes and 2021 schema changes.

Register online now.

2021 MIPS eligibility

Practices can check provider eligibility for 2021 MIPS quality reporting on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website by using the QPP lookup tool. The QPP updates eligibility data at multiple times throughout the year to help practices plan program participation. Updates are based on past and current Medicare Part B Claims and PECOS data.

There are two determination periods for 2021 reporting. Initial eligibility was determined in December 2020 and final eligibility will be determined in November 2021.

Register for 2021 NACOR reporting

Quality reporting practices can now begin the enrollment process for Anesthesia Quality Institute's (AQI) 2021 NACOR Quality Reporting by completing the new online order form. NACOR is a designated QR and QCDR for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Quality Payment Program.

AQI's NACOR quality reporting options include the following offerings in 2021 to ensure that NACOR remains the leader in anesthesiology: Quality Concierge, NACOR Quality Reporting, NACOR Benchmarking, and NACOR Basic.

All practices re-enrolling in NACOR Quality Reporting, Benchmarking, or Basic should complete a new order form for 2021. Practices enrolled in Quality Concierge are not required to complete the form.

Note: The 2021 Registration Deadline is October 1, 2021.

Save the date: Anesthesia Quality and Patient Safety Meeting

Join us on July 17 for a new virtual event featuring renowned practitioners who are passionate about ensuring safe care before, during, and after surgery. Participate and discover strategies and innovations for optimizing patient care, decreasing burnout, reducing medical errors, and improving a culture of safety.

Sign up to get notified when registration opens.