Getting paid: Anesthesia providers must mind their CVCs when reporting quality measures

Why This Topic Matters

It helps anesthesia practices and coders understand when reporting specialty-specific quality measures may trigger validation review and affect eligibility for the reporting incentive.

Article Sections

1. Anesthesia quality reporting and PQRS context

   Introduces the reporting environment for anesthesia providers and the quality bonus discussed in the article. It frames the issue in terms of PQRS participation and specialty-specific measures.

2. Anesthesia Care Clusters and measure pairing

   Summarizes the anesthesia care clusters referenced in the article and how the measures are grouped for reporting. It discusses the broader structure of the measure sets involved.

3. MAV process and reporting thresholds

   Describes the validation review process used by CMS and the reporting thresholds that may affect whether a provider is reviewed. It covers the general implications of the threshold-based review process.

4. Example scenario and reporting implications

   Provides an example of how reporting activity may be evaluated during the validation process. It illustrates the general reporting issue faced by anesthesia providers.

5. Additional anesthesia measures and future development

   Notes potential expansion of anesthesia-specific measures and mentions future measure development being considered by the specialty organization. It gives a brief outlook on the evolving measure landscape.

6. Official resource

   Points readers to a CMS resource for the 2011 reporting materials. It serves as a reference section for further review.