PQRS deadline for EHR-based reporters gets extended

Are you submitting your 2016 physician quality reporting system (PQRS) data via electronic health record (EHR)? If so, you got a dose of good news -- CMS extended the deadline for EHR-based reporters until March 31.

 

Previously, the window to submit PQRS measures via EHR was set to slam shut at midnight, March 13. With the extension, which CMS re-announced via email during the afternoon of March 13, you have nearly an extra three weeks to get your numbers in.

 

For the 2016 reporting period, eligible providers (EPs) must submit at least nine measures across at least three National Quality Strategy (NQS) domains to avoid a penalty in 2018. "If the EP’s CEHRT does not contain patient data for at least nine measures covering at least three domains, then the EP must report all the measures for which there is Medicare patient data," notes CMS.

 

CMS also announced that the same deadline extension applies to those submitting electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMS) under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

 

For a complete list of updated deadline, visit the official CMS page here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/PQRS/Downloads/2016EHRSubmissionDate.pdf.