PQRI specs released, could determine participation

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps practices understand whether the new quality reporting program fits their patient population and workflow before reporting begins. It is relevant for organizations weighing the administrative effort of participation against potential incentive payments and for staff who need to interpret the new specifications at a high level.

Article Sections

1. PQRI specifications and participation planning

   Introduces the release of the CMS quality measure specifications and explains how practices may use them when deciding whether to participate. It also describes the general role of claims review and patient population fit in that planning process.

2. Specialty review and measure selection

   Summarizes how specialty organizations and family medicine groups are reviewing the specifications and considering which measures are most relevant to their members. It discusses the broader process of choosing among available quality measures without getting into specific reporting decisions.

3. Exclusion modifiers for when quality measures don’t apply

   Covers the presence of exclusion modifiers in the specifications and the general reasons they may be associated with quality reporting. This section also notes that modifier use varies by measure and is part of the reporting framework.