NetHealth

PQRS has its roots in the quality improvement initiatives of 2005—and earlier. In 2006, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act required the establishment of a quality reporting system for physicians. During the next year, the program was modified as a result of the SCHIP Extension Act. And, in 2011, the program was changed to the PQRS—Physician Quality Reporting System.

The best way to understand the CMS drive to have clinicians work with PQRS is to consider the way in which the agency itself describes the reasons for its focus on expanding its use. As CMS has noted, “Eligible professionals will have the opportunity to use participation in Physician Quality Reporting to improve the care of the patients they serve through the evidence-based measures that are based upon clinical guidelines. Participating is a way to prepare for future pay-for-performance programs.” The financial incentive is made available to reward participants, but a built-in disincentive of –2% will apply in 2015.

PQRS includes submission eligibility to practitioners and therapists across a wide range of specialties, sub-specialties, roles and settings. NetHealth is proud to work with an impressive cross-section of these groups—and to work in partnership with them on behalf of their members.

The following table lists the providers eligible to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting program: