Reporting Heart-related CQMs for Meaningful Use
February is American Heart Month. The CDC states that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but heart disease is preventable and controllable. The American Heart Association reports that 715,000 Americans have a heart attack each year, nearly 600,000 Americans die from heart disease each year which make up one out of every 4 deaths. Read Secretary Sebelius’ statement on American Heart Month.
While we take up awareness every February, our health care industry continually takes steps to change these statistics. Collecting and analyzing data can help in these steps. One part of the CMS EHR Incentive program requires reporting of Clinical Quality Measures. In stage 1 they are incorporated in the program as a meaningful use objective for both eligible professionals and eligible hospitals. In stage 2 they have been removed from the objectives and have become a reporting requirement on its own. Specific reporting data is directly related to heart disease.
In Stage 1, 2, and beyond 2014
- EPs must report on 9 of the 64 approved CQMs
- Recommended core CQMs – encouraged but not required
- 9 CQMs for the adult population
- 9 CQMs for the pediatric population
- NQF 0018 strongly encouraged since controlling blood pressure is high priority goal in many national health initiatives, including the Million Hearts campaign
- Selected CQMs must cover at least 3 of the National Quality Strategy domains
- Recommended core CQMs – encouraged but not required
- Eligible Hospitals and CAHs must report on 16 of the 29 approved CQMs
- Selected CQMs must cover at least 3 of the National Quality Strategy domains
- Beginning in 2014, all Medicare-eligible providers must electronically report their CQM data to CMS. (Medicaid EPs and hospitals that are eligible only for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will electronically report their CQM data to their state.)
In the EP’s list of CQMs there are 8 related to heart disease.
In the Hospital list of CQMs there are several titles related to strokes and heart disease.
Happy Valentine’s Day.