Medicare released the 2015 specifications for individual PQRS measures. Not much has changed compared to last year; however, there are a few changes—the most noteworthy being the elimination of the wound care measure (245). I’ve detailed the rest of the changes below.
Measure 126: Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic Foot and Ankle Care, Peripheral Neuropathy – Neurological Evaluation
In addition to updating denominator criteria, the numerator definition (which now includes a lower extremity neurological exam), and the reporting timeframes for denominator coding (eligible professionals must report a minimum of once per reporting period), CMS also eliminated G-code G8406, leaving only two G-code options for this measure.
Measure 127: Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic Foot and Ankle Care, Ulcer Prevention – Evaluation of Footwear
For this measure, CMS merely updated the reporting timeframes for denominator coding (eligible professionals must report a minimum of once per reporting period).
Measure 128: Preventative Care and Screening: Body Mass Index
CMS made a slew of little changes to this measure. In addition to updating the title and description, CMS adjusted the denominator criteria, numerator statement, numerator instructions, numerator definitions, rationale, and clinical recommendation statements.
Measure 130: Documentation of Current Medications in the Medical Record
CMS added CPT code 96151 and eliminated CPT codes 97110 and 97140 from the denominator coding.
Measure 131: Pain Assessment and Follow-Up
CMS added CPT code 96151 to denominator coding.
Measure 134: Preventative Care and Screening: Clinical Depression
CMS deleted the following CPT codes from denominator coding: 92557, 92567, 92568, and 92626.
Measure 173: Preventative Care Screening: Unhealthy Alcohol Use
CMS deleted the following CPT codes from denominator coding: 90839, 98960, 98961, and 98962.
Measure 226: Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use
CMS deleted CPT code 90839 from denominator coding.
To brush up on the nitty gritty of these specifications, I recommend downloading the individual measures specifications from CMS. Need additional help? Check out our PQRS webinar. Hope this holiday season is merry and bright. Merry PQRS-mas to all, and to all a good note—er, night. (See what I did, there?)
