Are you collecting these measures in 2019?
As a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR), AQI must submit QCDR measures to CMS for review and approval annually. In AQI's most recent round of QCDR measure reviews, CMS indicated that several QCDR measures have high performance rates, resulting in CMS granting them "provisional approval" for 2019. Measures with provisional approval will not be approved for use in the 2020 QCDR unless AQI can provide data to CMS showing there is in fact a performance gap.
The list of provisionally-approved measures:
- AQI49: Adherence to Blood Conservation Guidelines for Cardiac Operations using Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- AQI56: Use of Neuraxial Techniques and/or Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
- AQI58: Infection Control Practices for Open Interventional Pain Procedures
- AQI59: Multimodal Pain Management
- AQI61: Ambulatory Post-Discharge Patient Follow-Up
- AQI63: Neuromuscular Blockade: Documented Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Prior to Extubation
- AQI64: Neuromuscular Blockade: Reversal Administered
- AQI65: Avoidance of Cerebral Hyperthermia for Procedures Involving Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- AQI67: Consultation for Frail Patients
If you are collecting data on any of these measures in 2019, contact Toni Kaye, Senior Quality Program Manager at t.kaye@asahq.org for more information on how you can help. Participating in this work is essential to ensure NACOR can continue offering a wide range of quality measures to report.
Changes in 2019 MIPS Reporting
The following changes to MIPS quality reporting are effective in 2019:
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The Quality Component will be weighted at 45% of the total MIPS score.
- Data completeness requirements: Eligible Clinicians (ECs) should report on six measures for the 12-month performance period (1/1/19-12/31/19). The six quality measures must include at least one outcome measure or another high priority measure in the absence of an applicable outcome measure. Reporting rates for each measure should be greater than or equal to 60%.
- The Cost Component and the Improvement Activity components will each be weighted at 15% of the total MIPS score.
- The minimum threshold for 2019 is 30 points to avoid a penalty adjustment, up from 15 points in 2018.
- The payment adjustment for 2019 is ±7%, a 2% increase from 2018.
Additional information can be found on the ASA Website or by emailing AskAQI@asahq.org or QRA@asahq.org.
NACOR Basic reconciliation complete
AQI has completed the NACOR Basic reconciliation process. For each data file submitted, AQI confirms the membership status of each anesthesiologist to determine if s/he is eligible to receive the ASA member benefit rate for NACOR Basic. For more information about the specific ECs that the roster represents, contact Margaret Bussan at 847-268-9231 or m.bussan@asahq.org.
Register for 2019 NACOR Reporting
Quality reporting practices can now begin the enrollment process for 2019 NACOR Quality Reporting by completing the new online order form.
AQI's NACOR quality reporting options include the following new offerings in 2019 to ensure that NACOR remains the leader in anesthesia - Quality Concierge, NACOR Quality Reporting and NACOR Benchmarking. NACOR Basic does not include quality reporting.
To better address individual and practice needs, AQI will add enhanced dashboards for better analysis, opportunities to view benchmarked data, and the chance for eligible physicians to earn MOCA Part IV credit for reviewing data for AQI Measure 59: Multimodal.
These new products and services will result in a change in the NACOR pricing structure for 2019. ASA members and NACOR participants will see a fee adjustment in 2019 for NACOR Benchmarking and NACOR Quality Reporting. NACOR Basic remains a complimentary member benefit and pricing for NACOR Quality Concierge is unchanged in 2019.