CMS to Host PQRI Conference Call


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the first in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) on March 27. The toll-free call will take place from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. EDT.

On Dec. 20, 2006, the president signed the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA). TRHCA section 101 authorizes a financial incentive for eligible professionals to participate in a voluntary quality reporting program. Eligible professionals, who choose to participate and successfully report on a designated set of quality measures for services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and provided between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2007, may earn a bonus payment of 1.5 percent of their charges during that period, subject to a cap. To review the list of eligible professionals, click here. All Medicare-enrolled professionals in these categories are eligible to participate in the 2007 PQRI, regardless of whether the professional has signed a Medicare participation agreement to accept assignment on all claims.

An overview of the 2007 PQRI will be presented that will include discussion about eligible professionals, reporting, measures and codes, and analysis and payment. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted to the PQRI Web site for downloading prior to the call so that you can follow along with the presenter, Susan Nedza, M.D.

In addition, MLN Matters article MM5558, posted on the Medicare Learning Network, can be referenced prior to the call. The article provides a program overview of the 2007 PQRI. MM5558 is available here.

Following the presentation, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions of CMS subject matter experts.

In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call online by following the instructions below. If you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, not to allow participation.

  1. To register for the call participants click here
  2. Click “Continue” to be taken to the registration screen
  3. Fill in all required data
  4. Click “Submit”
  5. You will be taken to the confirmation screen where the call-in number will be given
  6. The pass code for the call is 549030
    To view the time the call will start, registrants will need to select their time zone in the drop down box under “Time” on the confirmation screen
    Click “Confirm Registration” to receive a confirmation e-mail