February
9th, 2015
A
universal change to the URL used by all TCMS clients to create a claim file
occurred this past Friday. As a result, our programming staff
create a new version of TCMS (v. 4.8.8.2) with only one enhancement that
addresses the change.
Any clients that are using the TCMS browser, or EHR,
are not affected by this change at all; however, if you are using TCMS, you will
not be able to create an electronic claims file until you perform the update to
this new version.
PQRS
Deadlines are approaching
February 28th, 2015 - If filed using our EHR the 2014 filing deadline. Please
note the enrollment with Quality Net (EHR Registry) can take significant
time.
March 31st, 2015 - If
filed using our recommended registry however registry may have cutoff by March 15th 2015
PQRS Measure filings are
performed in 1 of 3 ways:
- Claim based filing for the entire year submitted along with routine claim entries (Free)
- Filing through a certified registry service using a small sample population (Service fee)
- Filing through our certified EHR (Free)
Since 2007 many providers
filed PQRS measures allowing them to receive an annual incentive bonus for their
participation.
In 2013 a penalty began when
data was not filed.
In 2014 (Filing now) the
number of required measures to avoid the penalty is 3 and if you file 9 you will
get a .5% bonus
In 2015 you will be required
to report 9 measures to avoid the payment penalty.
Criterions
has two offerings for clients who
did not do claims based reporting throughout the 2014 year.
1. Meaningful Use EHR
Clients –
For clients who are using the latest Criterions EHR in a meaningful
way (collecting clinical data), Quality Net has said clients may export a file
(QRDA file) from their EHR and import it into the Quality Net registry
system*.
a. There is no charge from Criterions for the
production this QRDA files.
b. This method for reporting is new, untried and
agency verbiage is confusing or contradictory. All of our communications with
the registry indicate a provider only need to submit one measure to qualify for
the incentive. We do not make any warranty to this claim and are not
responsible for any untoward outcome. Their description is below:
1. Using a direct EHR product that is Certified EHR
Technology (CEHRT) or EHR data submission vendor that is CEHRT, report on at
least 9 measures covering 3 National Quality Strategy (NQS) domains. If the
EP’s CEHRT does not contain patient data for at least 9 measures covering at
least 3 domains, then the EP must report the measures for which there is
Medicare patient data. An EP must report on at least 1 measure for which
there is Medicare patient data.
Please note:
Registration is done online
at: https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/pqri_home/212.
We have found the
registration process to be time consuming (18+ steps) so please begin
immediately.
Also the Quality Net Site
seems to work best in the Google Chrome browser.
EHR Version 3.0.1.10 or our
EHR is required to produce this file. You version number can be found in the
lower right portion of your browser’s Criterions login screen.
2. Registry Based Reporting
–
Criterions will produce a file for clients who did not use the certified
Criterions EHR in a meaningful way which will contain data on measures
pertaining to most specialties.
a. The cost, charged by the registry is $350 per doctor
for file production and registry submission.
b. Depending on the data available in your system,
providers may be required to manually enter or select some data into the files
to be submitted to the registry.
