Quality Clinical Data Registry FAQ
What is a QCDR?
A Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) is a reporting mechanism that was introduced in 2014 for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program. There are several reporting mechanisms to fulfill the PQRS requirements in addition to a QCDR, such as using an EMR system, CMS Web-Interface, CMS Certified Survey Vendor, or using claims data.
However, as of October 14, 2016, under the new Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), a new quality program was introduced replacing the PQRS and other quality programs known as the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
MIPS consists of four performance categories:
1. Quality (replaces PQRS)
2. Promoting Interoperability (replaces Advancing Care Information)
3. Improvement Activities
4. Cost (replaces Resource Use)
To learn more about each MIPS performance category criteria, go to the new CMS Quality Payment Program page at www.qpp.cms.gov.
Who will be eligible to participate under MIPS?
For 2019 reporting, the following clinicians will be eligible: Physicians (MD/DO and DMD/DDS), Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Physical & Occupational Therapists, Speech-language Pathologists, Audiologists, Clinical Psychologists, and Registered Dieticians or Nutrition professionals.
You can determine your eligibility in the CMS Quality Payment Program page at www.qpp.cms.gov.
What makes reporting via a QCDR different from other reporting mechanisms?
The QCDR reporting option is different from a traditional registry or an EMR system because it is not limited to Medicare patient data, but across all payers. In addition, The QCDR can host “non-MIPS” measures approved by CMS for reporting, which are more relevant to the eligible clinician’s specialty care and therefore, professionals achieve a better performance rate.
What measures are available for reporting through the AAAAI QCDR?
There are currently 25 quality measures available in the registry for the 2019 reporting year including the following areas of care: Asthma, Allergen Immunotherapy, Drug Allergy, Sinusitis, and General Care. See the AAAAI QCDR measures list and specifications at /Quality-Clinical-Data-Registry.
How can I upload or transfer my data into a QCDR?
A QCDR can collect data using xml files or QRDA III files. These files have unique specifications and are formats approved by CMS. If you are transferring data directly from your EMR system, contact your EMR vendor representative or IT support to further assist you and recommend the submission file that works best for you based on the quality measures and reporting mechanism you choose to report on.
QCDRs also collect manually entered data, but this can be time consuming. It is recommended that one enters data in a regular basis throughout the year and/or have a designated staff to do so.
What is The AAAAI Registry and QCDR?
AAAAI’s new-and-improved registry is a comprehensive and multi-purpose solution that allows you to engage with your outcomes data and specialty-specific performance measures in a way you haven’t before. AAAAI’s vision is for the registry to bring together four important objectives – quality improvement, clinical research, patient-reported outcomes, and regulatory reporting – all onto one platform powered by ArborMetrix, AAAAI’s technology and analytics partner.
How will The AAAAI Registry help me with CMS requirements for MACRA and MIPS?
By participating in The AAAAI REGISTRY AND QCDR, you can fulfill the requirements of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), including mandates for Quality, Improvement Activities, and Promoting Interoperability. To learn more about CMS requirements for the Quality Payment Program (QPP), and MIPS, view the CMS MIPS overview at qpp.com.gov/mips/overview.
Do I have to participate in MIPS?
To determine your eligibility for MIPS, check your MIPS participation status on the CMS Quality Payment Program (QPP) website at qpp.cms.gov/participation-lookup.
What reports and features does the registry provide?
The AAAAI Registry is powered on the ArborMetrix platform. ArborMetrix’s suite of features and reports make it easy for you to see how you are performing, identify and implement best practices, improve care, and optimize CMS quality reporting. The platform especially delivers:
- Interactive, real-time analytics and reports on an intuitive, web-based, HIPSS-compliant interface
- Clinical relevance with specialty-specific measures
- Clinical depth through the ability to drill down to see patient-level details
Click here to learn more about ArborMetrix.
Is the data my practice provides secure and/or anonymous?
The AAAAI Registry is compliant with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
How do I provide data to the registry?
Physicians and practices provide data through the registry in a number of methods, which include file upload, manual data entry, and EHR integration.
Can I get MOC credits by using The AAAAI Registry?
Yes, The AAAAI Registry can now be used to satisfy the quality improvement requirement (Part IV) of the ABAI’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Registry participants can use their quality measures’ data to complete the Performance Improvement module within the registry to earn 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CME CreditsTM. Sign up here for the registry to begin.
For additional information, please contact us at QCDR@aaaai.org.