Participation rising in Physician Quality Reporting System and eRX incentive programs

Participation in the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and electronic prescribing (eRx) is rising, according to a report published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The report, "2012 Physician Quality Reporting System and Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Experience Report," reveals that participation from 2011 to 2012 increased by 36 percent for the PQRS program, and by 22 report for the eRx Program. The report also found that PQRS participation is highest among eligible professionals who see the most Medicare patients.

In total, 2012 PQRS incentive payments totaled about $168 million and eRx incentive payments totaled about $335 million, CMS reported.

“Our physician and other clinician quality programs reached new records this year with over 430,000 professionals participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System and over 340,000 e-prescribing,” said Patrick Conway, MD, deputy administrator for innovation and quality and chief medical officer at CMS, in a statement. “Clinicians are actively measuring and reporting on quality, and CMS is in the beginning stages of adding this information to the Physician Compare website, which can be viewed by patients.”

Read the full report here.