November 2007

DCs eligible to participate in Medicare’s PQRI in 2008

Doctors of chiropractic will soon be eligible to participate in Medicare’s quality reporting program, known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). In 2008, the program will include 119 quality measures, including two applicable to chiropractic. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the 2008 measures in mid-November. Beginning Jan. 1, DCs can report on measures related to “pain assessment prior to initiation of patient treatment” and “adoption/use of health information technology.” 

“The inclusion of quality measures applicable to chiropractic care in the 2008 PQRI affords our profession an opportunity to strengthen its involvement in the promotion of quality patient care,” said Glenn Manceaux, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).“To assist doctors in this endeavor, the association will soon release chiropractic-specific information and practical tips to help educate clinic staff on the reporting process and to ensure proper documentation.”

The PQRI program has established a financial incentive for DCs and other healthcare providers to participate. Chiropractors who successfully report on a designated set of quality measures on claims for dates of service from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2008, may earn a bonus payment estimated to be between 1.5 and 2.0 percent of submitted claims.

For the past two years, CMS sponsored a voluntary program for physicians to report codes to the government regarding quality protocols and services performed in their practices. With the 2008 program, eligible providers who choose to participate will help capture data about the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries.  Participating providers will also help government officials identify the most effective ways to use quality measures in daily practice.

The detailed specifications for all final PQRI measures, along with other information about the PQRI program, can be found at www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri. 

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