Endocrine Insider
January 8, 2009

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released information on the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Last year the program, which provided up to a 1.5 percent bonus payment to physicians and other eligible medical professionals who report on designated quality measures, consisted of 119 reportable measures. Beginning January 1, 2009, the PQRI program will include 153 reportable measures, and participating providers will be eligible for a 2 percent bonus.

A number of measures related to diabetes and osteoporosis have been a part of the PQRI since its inception in 2007. For the 2009 reporting year, one additional measure on diabetes has been added. "Diabetes mellitus: foot exam" measures the number of patients 18 to 75 years of age who receive a foot examination. Detailed information on participation in the PQRI program and on each of the measures included is available here.

In addition to the new measures and increased bonus payment, CMS has also posted resources to provide guidance and assistance to physicians and other medical professionals participating in the PQRI program. A manual on measure specifications and a PQRI implementation guide are available here.