The landscape of eCQM (Electronic Clinical Quality Measures) data collection is evolving, with healthcare practices facing new challenges and opportunities. This article delves into the intricacies of eCQM data collection and reporting requirements, offering insights into the transition from CMS Web Interface to Medicare CQMs, the importance of meeting data completeness thresholds, and the implications of the MVP Framework on eCQM submissions. Additionally, it provides strategic guidance for enhancing quality performance and maximizing shared savings within the healthcare industry.
Understanding eCQM Data Collection and Reporting Requirements
Navigating the Transition from CMS Web Interface to Medicare CQMs
As you prepare for the shift away from the CMS Web Interface measures, it’s crucial to understand the new landscape of Medicare CQMs. CMS will retire the Web Interface collection type in 2025, making it essential to adapt to the new collection types available: eCQMs, CQMs, or Medicare CQMs for APP reporting. To ease into this transition, consider the following steps:
- Familiarize yourself with the differences between eCQMs, CQMs, and Medicare CQMs.
- Assess your current reporting capabilities and identify any gaps that need to be addressed.
- Develop a plan to integrate the new collection types into your reporting processes.
- Stay informed about CMS updates, as benchmarks for Medicare CQMs will be based on performance period benchmarks until 2026.
Remember, if an eCQM or CQM does not meet the 75% data completeness threshold, it will earn zero points in 2024. This underscores the importance of ensuring data completeness when reporting. By proactively managing these changes, you can maintain compliance and optimize your quality performance.
Meeting the 75% Data Completeness Threshold for eCQMs and CQMs
Achieving the 75% data completeness threshold for your eCQMs and CQMs is crucial, as failing to meet this requirement means that the measure will earn 0 points in 2024. This could significantly impact your quality performance scores and shared savings potential. To ensure you meet this threshold, consider the following steps:
- Review the specific data requirements for each measure you’re reporting.
- Monitor your data submission process regularly to identify and address any gaps in data completeness.
- Utilize the flexibility offered by CMS, which allows you to submit different collection types, such as eCQMs, CQMs, or Medicare CQMs, within one submission. Note that each unique measure can only have one collection type.
Remember, the transition from CMS Web Interface measures to Medicare CQMs for APP reporting is set for 2025, and it’s essential to stay informed about these changes. By selecting the right measures and ensuring compliance with the data completeness requirements, you can maximize your performance and avoid the risk of earning zero points for your measures.
Related: ACO MSSP Data Completeness Requirements
Strategies for Maximizing Quality Performance and Shared Savings
Selecting the Right Measures for Your Practice Under the APP Framework
When it comes to enhancing your practice’s performance under the APP Framework, selecting the right measure collection type is crucial. Focus on the collection type that aligns with your practice’s technical capabilities. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Review the APP Framework’s quality category, which accounts for 50% of your total score, and understand the performance period of 365 days.
- Choose from the option to submit 3 eCQMs/CQMs or Medicare CQMs, ensuring you meet the data completeness requirements.
- Consider the automatic calculation of two administrative quality claims measures and the inclusion of the CAHPS for MIPS survey.
Ensuring Compliance with Health IT Certification and Security Requirements
Ensuring the integrity of your eCQM data collection hinges on the certification of your Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Utilize ONC-certified EHR technology compliant with the 2015 Cures Update Certification to safeguard patient information and meet regulatory requirements effectively.
Here are some key actions to take:
- Attest to measures such as the Prevention of Information Blocking and ONC Direct Review in the Promoting Interoperability (PI) Category.
- Submit your EHR’s CMS Identification code obtained from the Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL).
- Conduct or review a security risk analysis on your Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) functionality annually.
- Affirm your completion of an annual assessment based on the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience Guides (SAFER Guides).
By adhering to these requirements, you not only comply with regulations but also contribute to the overall improvement of health data interoperability and security.
Related: MIPS and EHR Integration: A Guide for Clinicians
Achieving High Percentile Scores in Quality Performance Standards
To excel in quality performance and maximize your shared savings, it’s essential to understand the benchmarks set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Achieving a score at or above the 40th percentile in at least one of the quality performance measures is a key target, as outlined in the Program Guidance & Specifications by CMS. This score is pivotal in establishing your quality performance standard and influencing payment adjustments.
When aiming for high percentile scores, consider the following steps:
- Ensure complete and accurate reporting of eCQMs/CQMs.
- Utilize tools like Patient360 to enhance quality measure reporting.
Remember, the quality score is a significant contributor to the overall APP score. By focusing on these strategies, you can improve your chances of achieving a score that meets or exceeds the 75th, 90th, and even 95th percentiles, leading to better outcomes and financial incentives.
To ensure your medical practice thrives in the competitive healthcare landscape, adopting effective strategies for maximizing quality performance and shared savings is crucial. At Patient360, we specialize in providing comprehensive MIPS, QCDR, and ACO reporting services that are designed to streamline your reporting process and enhance your performance scores. Our platform offers real-time data analysis, and expert consultation to help you achieve the best results for your practice. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to optimize your quality reporting and maximize your savings. Visit our website to learn more and take the first step towards successful reporting!
Adapting Strategies for eCQM Data Collection
The landscape of eCQM data collection is evolving, with CMS phasing out the Web Interface measures by 2025 and introducing new collection types such as Medicare CQMs. It is crucial for ACOs and clinicians to adapt to these changes by understanding the available collection types, including eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, QCDR measures, and others, and ensuring they meet the data completeness requirements to avoid scoring zero points. The APP framework and the Quality Performance Standards set forth clear guidelines for submissions, emphasizing the importance of achieving high percentile scores in outcome measures and the potential to use a combination of collection types. Practices must also stay compliant with attestations and technology certifications to maximize shared savings. As the healthcare industry continues to prioritize quality improvement, staying informed and proactive in eCQM data collection will be key to success.
