CMS Initiative Tests EHR System’s Ability to Transmit Data

June 16, 2008

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun a new pilot in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) to test the feasibility of transmitting data directly from electronic health records (EHRs).

The PQRI is a voluntary program in which physicians collect and report their practice data in relation to a set of 74 performance measures.  PQRI is regarded as a potential precursor to a CMS pay-for-performance program.  Physicians who participate in the voluntary PQRI program can become eligible to receive a 1.5% bonus payment.

PQRI has been reauthorized through 2009.  The first pilot testing electronic submission of quality measures lasted from July to December 31, 2007, and CMS has asked six EHR vendors to participate in this newest stage of the project.  CMS will announce the final participating vendors in August 2008.

The University of Missouri is one site that has decided to apply to participate in the CMS pilot.  Harold Williamson, a professor at the University’s School of Medicine, explained to Modern Healthcare, that the school aims to demonstrate its EHR system and experiment with the possibility of making it adaptable to other facilities.

Williamson expressed concern that the 1.5% bonus payment is not enough to cover the cost of using an EHR in a hospital.  He did say, however, that he believes the “chance for researchers and doctors to demonstrate the capabilities of the system to change how medicine is practiced [should be] enough motivation.”

During the pilot, physicians at the University will use their EHRs as usual, while the data is gathered in a repository and eventually sent to CMS.  The university will also be conducting research to analyze the EHR system’s ability to reduce errors, save time and improve care.

For more information about the program, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.