CMS quality reporting system improve outcomes, quality of care
A report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week showed that quality reporting systems and ePrescribing incentives have improved outcomes and the quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries.
Two pay-for-performance initiatives, the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting System and ePrescribing Experience Report found that 119,804 physicians and professionals in 12,647 practices who reported quality measures to Medicare received incentive payments under the Physician Quality Reporting System that totaled more than $234 million. In 2007, the first year of the program, the incentives paid equated to $36 million.
According to CMS, participation in the Physician Quality Reporting System has grown at a rate of 50 percent each year.
“The Physician Quality Reporting System and the ePrescribing Incentive Program help bridge the knowledge gap so we can better understand the care millions of patients receive from physicians and other care providers every day,” Donald Berwick, MD, CMS administrator explained. “The significant growth in the Physician Quality Reporting System shows us that the healthcare community shares CMS’ commitment to improving the quality and safety of care our beneficiaries receive.”
In 2009, successful users of ePrescribing received an average bonus payment that was more than $3,000 per professional and $14,501 per practice.
The CMS said the increased reporting rates “could signal a positive trend in the quality of healthcare Medicare beneficiaries receive from professionals who report data through the Physician Quality Reporting System.”
Since the program began in 2007, the CMS said that providers have improved the frequency that they deliver care by 3.1 percent. In 2008 and 2009, 99 measures were reported to the system and performance improved by 10.6 percent.
“Although participation in our pay-for-reporting programs is optional now, it should be regarded as imperative in terms of medical professionals’ shared goal of improving quality of care and patient safety,” said Berwick. “I challenge every healthcare provider who has not yet participated to begin today. We will not improve the quality of healthcare in this country without knowing where we stand in delivering care and using that knowledge to continually improve our practices. Our patients deserve nothing less.”
Lastly, CMS said that by 2013 physicians will be able to compare their own performance to others via the Physician Compare website that will be launched by the center.
Two pay-for-performance initiatives, the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting System and ePrescribing Experience Report found that 119,804 physicians and professionals in 12,647 practices who reported quality measures to Medicare received incentive payments under the Physician Quality Reporting System that totaled more than $234 million. In 2007, the first year of the program, the incentives paid equated to $36 million.
According to CMS, participation in the Physician Quality Reporting System has grown at a rate of 50 percent each year.
“The Physician Quality Reporting System and the ePrescribing Incentive Program help bridge the knowledge gap so we can better understand the care millions of patients receive from physicians and other care providers every day,” Donald Berwick, MD, CMS administrator explained. “The significant growth in the Physician Quality Reporting System shows us that the healthcare community shares CMS’ commitment to improving the quality and safety of care our beneficiaries receive.”
In 2009, successful users of ePrescribing received an average bonus payment that was more than $3,000 per professional and $14,501 per practice.
The CMS said the increased reporting rates “could signal a positive trend in the quality of healthcare Medicare beneficiaries receive from professionals who report data through the Physician Quality Reporting System.”
Since the program began in 2007, the CMS said that providers have improved the frequency that they deliver care by 3.1 percent. In 2008 and 2009, 99 measures were reported to the system and performance improved by 10.6 percent.
“Although participation in our pay-for-reporting programs is optional now, it should be regarded as imperative in terms of medical professionals’ shared goal of improving quality of care and patient safety,” said Berwick. “I challenge every healthcare provider who has not yet participated to begin today. We will not improve the quality of healthcare in this country without knowing where we stand in delivering care and using that knowledge to continually improve our practices. Our patients deserve nothing less.”
Lastly, CMS said that by 2013 physicians will be able to compare their own performance to others via the Physician Compare website that will be launched by the center.