PQRS Cataract Measures Group

The 2012 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) specifications recently published by CMS contain a new Measures Group exclusively for patients having cataract surgery. In prior years no ophthalmology-specific Measures Group existed. A Measures Group is a subset of four or more measures that have a particular clinical condition or focus in common.

The Cataracts Measures Group may only be reported through a registry. A provider is considered a “successful” reporter after reporting on 30 qualified patients for this measure group. This approach requires that reporting begin early in 2012 through the registry; one may not wait until July to begin data gathering. We expect this to be an attractive option for cataract surgeons.

Corcoran has updated our Physician Bonus Payments monograph for 2012, including information on the Cataracts Measures Group and other PQRS measures. It also contains current information on the E-Prescribing bonus programs. It is available for purchase on our web site, or call us at (800) 399-6565.

For more information on the Measures Group specifications and other measure specifications, visit the CMS website at: http://www.cms.gov/PQRS/15_MeasuresCodes.asp#TopOfPage