Preparing Your Cardiology Practice For PQRS

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Americans, claiming responsibility for 1 in every 4 deaths, according to the CDC. Cardiology is a specialized field that has distinct requirements for practice management and electronic medical record (EMR) software. EMR software is a key element in efficiently managing a cardiology practice and PQRS reporting.

In 2018, all eligible professionals will need to meet stage 3 meaningful use requirements. These requirements are technology focused and aim to increase engagement between the physician and the patient. Preparing for PQRS now will not only preserve the existing relationship you have with your patients, it will dramatically improve it.

How do you get your cardiology practice beating to the rhythm of PQRS?

Understand the penalties

The consequences for EPs and group practices who do not file PQRS in 2016 are more severe than past reporting periods, and incentives merely for filing PQRS will officially be a thing of the past. For individual EPs and group practices with 2 – 9 providers who do not file, the penalty will be 4%. For group practices with 10 or more providers, the penalty will reach 6%.

Have we convinced you to start preparing? Now, here’s how you get started:

Decide how you will participate

1. As an individual eligible practitioner (EP)
2. As part of a group practice

Determine the method in which you will submit PQRS quality measures

As an individual EP, you can submit PQRS data using the following methods:

1. Claims reporting
2. Registry reporting
3. Electronic Health Record (EHR) reporting through the use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT)
4. Certified EHR technology through a vendor
5. Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR)

Group practices may submit PQRS data using the Group Practice Reporting Option, or GPRO, through the use of the following methods:

1. Registry reporting
2. EHR using CEHRT
3. CEHRT through a vendor
4. Groups of 25+ providers may use Web interface reporting
5. Groups may submit Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) reporting in addition to group practice reporting

Mind your reporting measures

CMS is offering an incentive for filing PQRS through the use of EHR. In order to receive the incentive, EPs must report 9 measures covering at least 3 of the NQS domains, including, but not limited to:

• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Preventative care and screening
• Documenting current medications in use by the patient

Working with a certified EHR software will safeguard PQRS reporting and help you manage an efficient and interactive practice.

To learn more about 1st Provider’s cardiology EMR software, contact us online or call 480-782-1116.