Endocrine Insider
April 15, 2009

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a conference call for providers on Wednesday, April 22nd from 2:30 to 4:30 pm EDT. The purpose of the call is to discuss tips for successfully participating in the physician quality reporting initiative (PQRI), planning for 2010 PQRI reporting, and to discuss specific PQRI measures. There will be an open discussion period at the end of the call to ask questions of CMS PQRI subject matter experts.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), which was enacted in 2008, established the PQRI as a permanent program. However, bonus payments to physicians and other providers who participate in the program are only authorized through 2010. This year, the bonus payment to participating providers will be 2 percent of total allowed charges for Physician Fee Schedule covered services. The PQRI consists of 153 reportable measures, and includes various measures related to diabetes and osteoporosis. 

In order to participate on the April 22nd conference call and receive appropriate call-in information, providers need to register for the event online by going to the following link:
http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/042209.

For additional information on the PQRI program, CMS has posted resources to provide guidance and assistance to physicians and other medical professionals. A manual on measure specifications and a PQRI implementation guide are available here.