CMS to Host Conference Call on 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will host a national provider conference call on the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).  The conference call will take place from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on April 30, 2008.

The Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Act) authorized CMS to establish alternative reporting criteria and alternative reporting periods for the reporting of measures groups and for the submission of data on PQRI quality measures through clinical data registries.  The Act also removed the cap on incentive payments. During the conference call, CMS is expected to address its new authority, including alternative reporting criteria and alternative reporting periods. Following the CMS presentation, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions.

CMS reports that materials for the conference call will be posted on the CMS website prior to the call in the Educational Resources section on the PQRI webpage. To participate in the conference call, registration is required. Registration will close at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) on April 29, 2008 or when available space has been filled.  For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay of the call will be accessible from 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on April 30, 2008 until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on May 7, 2008.  To access the replay, one must call 1-800-642-1687 and use passcode 42860144.

On April 17, 2008, CMS also issued a Press Release announcing the steps that it has taken to encourage physicians and other eligible professionals to take part in PQRI.