A recent study by the American Col- lege of Radiology’s Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute fired a warning shot when it predicted roughly 80 per- cent of physicians today would face PQRS penalties by 2016 and lose more than $1 billion a year in Medicare pay- ments. Researchers based those projec- tions on radiologists’ PQRS participation from 2007 to 2010. CMS recognizes that current partici- pation in PQRS is low nationally, but says those numbers grow each year. According to TMA’s 2012 Physician
Survey, 37 percent of physicians cur- rently report quality data for Medicare’s PQRS program, and another 15 percent plan to participate. Half of physicians implemented Medicare’s e-prescribing incentive program, and 6 percent plan to do so. Forty-four percent of physicians applied for the EHR incentive payments, and 14 percent said they plan to apply. CMS and others bet those numbers
will improve. The agency already suc- ceeded on the hospital side. Medicare started hospitals off with
voluntary reporting on about five mea- sures in 2004, and only a small percent- age participated, Dr. Salman says. Once bonuses kicked in, participation jumped, and only when CMS put the penalty in, did 100 percent start reporting. To encourage physicians to begin
PQRS reporting, CMS established mini- mal requirements for 2013 to avoid the 2015 penalty, such as reporting on at least one valid measure or measures group via claims, registry, or a qualified EHR.
Getting ready
Since CMS started the program in 2007, however, doctors have had a lot of time to prepare. Despite some difficulties along the way, “this has been a very long ramp,” said Norman H. Chenven, MD, ARC’s founder and CEO.
PQRS has nearly 200 measures, “making it possible for anybody and ev- erybody to find something to report on,” he said. “Medicare set this up so there’s no excuse not to participate.” Primary care specialties, in particular,
have a broad palate of measures to work with. Dr. Chenven recommends picking
Texas Medical Board appearance?
Pending
When Unhappy Patients, Ad Problems or Competitor Accusations lead to a Texas Medical Board investigation, ISC hearing or SOAH trial, your choice of attorney could make the difference in your future.
Genetics to Genomics: The Future and Beyond!
June 22 Dallas June 29 Austin July 13 San Antonio
Tens of thousands of Texas babies are born each year with genetic disorders.
Attend one of the FREE Genetics Conferences 2013 to learn about advances in genetics and genomics, including clinical implications of whole genome sequencing. Topics will include when to test, the impact on your patients, ethical dilemmas involved, and more.
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM
For information on the 2013 Genetics Conference:
www.GeneticsConferences2013.com 512-474-2166 or
workshop@cardeaservices.org Sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services and Cardea .
Lead Counsel Gaines W ’s est
experience and tenacity backed by his firm’s depth-of-staff and range of talent can put justice on your side.
Polly Bowers Nurse Paralegal
Medical Litigation
www.westwebblaw.com
Gaines West Lead Counsel
260 Addie Roy Rd., Suite 204 • Austin, TX 78746
1515 Emerald Plaza • College Station, TX 77845 Austin – 512.501.3617
Principal Office – 979.694.7000 May 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 37
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