[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 242 (Friday, December 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67238-67240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30122]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3221-N]


Medicare Program; Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI): 
Listening Session-February 2, 2010.

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a listening session to discuss the 
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The purpose of the 
listening session is to solicit input from participating stakeholders 
on--
     The individual quality measures and measures groups (for 
example, suggestions for new measures groups or suggestions for the 
composition of existing measures group(s) being considered for possible 
inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures for use in the 2011 
PQRI program and;
     Key components of the design of the PQRI program, such as 
possible reporting mechanisms, reporting periods, criteria for 
satisfactory reporting, the group practice reporting option, and public 
reporting of 2011 PQRI data.
    Measure developers, eligible professionals, professionals 
associations, such as medical specialty societies, and other interested 
stakeholders are invited to participate, in person or by 
teleconference.
    The opinions and alternatives provided during this meeting will 
assist us as we evaluate the PQRI program for 2011. We anticipate 
posting a summary of the individual quality measures and measures 
groups for possible inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures 
as well as possible program design options under consideration for use 
in the 2011 PQRI program on the PQRI section of the CMS Web site at 
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI by January 18, 2010.
    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to 
space and teleconference lines available.

DATES: Meeting Date: The listening session will be held on Tuesday, 
February 2, 2010 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time 
(E.S.T).
    Meeting Registration and Request for Special Accommodations 
Deadline: Registration opens on Monday, December 21, 2009. For security 
reasons, registration must be completed no later than 5 p.m. E.S.T. on 
Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Requests

[[Page 67239]]

for special accommodations must be received by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on 
Wednesday, January 27, 2010.
    Submission of Written Comments or Statements Deadline: Written 
comments or statements on the issues that were discussed at this 
listening session may be sent via mail, fax, or electronically to the 
address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice and must be 
received by 5 p.m. E.S.T. on Friday February 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The listening session will be held in the 
main auditorium of the Central Building of the Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    Registration and Special Accommodations: Persons interested in 
attending the meeting or participating by teleconference must register 
by completing the on-line registration via the Web site at http://www.usqualitymeasures.org. Individuals who require special 
accommodations should send a request via email or regular mail to the 
contact specified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this 
notice.
    Written Comments or Statements: Written comments or statements may 
be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or sent via regular mail to: 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Mail Stop S3-02-01, Attn: 2011 PQRI Listening 
Session Comments. All persons planning to make a statement in person at 
the listening session are urged to submit statements in writing during 
the listening session and should subsequently submit the information 
electronically by the timeframe specified in the DATES section of this 
notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Chell, Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Mailstop 
S3-02-01, Attn: 2011 PQRI Listening Session, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21244 or contact Ms. Chell by phone at 410-786-6551, or 
via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The PQRI is a voluntary reporting program in which eligible 
professionals (and beginning in 2010, group practices) report data on 
quality measures to CMS. For 2010 and prior years, an eligible 
professional who satisfactorily reports data on quality measures may 
qualify to earn a PQRI incentive payment based on a percentage of the 
eligible professional's total estimated allowed Medicare Part B charges 
for covered professional services furnished during a specified 
reporting period. CMS is authorized to provide PQRI incentive payments 
through 2010, although changes being considered by Congress, if passed, 
could extend that authority beyond 2010. Under section 1848(k)(3)(B) of 
the Social Security Act (the Act), the term ``eligible professional'' 
means any of the following--
     A physician;
     A practitioner described in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the 
Act;
     A physical or occupational therapist or a qualified 
speech-language pathologist; or qualified audiologist
    The PQRI was first implemented in 2007 as a result of section 
101(b) of Division B-Medicare Improvements and Extension Act of 2006 of 
the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub.L. 109-432) (MIEA-
TRHCA), which was enacted on December 20, 2006. The PQRI was extended 
and further enhanced as a result of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP 
Extension Act of 2007 (Pub.L. 110-173) (MMSEA), which was enacted on 
December 29, 2007, and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and 
Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) (Pub. L. 110-275), which was enacted on 
July 15, 2008. Changes to the PQRI as a result of these laws, as well 
as information about the PQRI in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, are 
discussed in detail in the Calendar Year (CY) 2008 Medicare Physician 
Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule (72 FR 38196 through 38204), CY 2008 
PFS final rule with comment period (72 FR 66336 through 66353), CY 2009 
PFS proposed rule (73 FR 38558 through 38575), CY 2009 PFS final rule 
with comment period (73 FR 69817 through 69847), CY 2010 PFS proposed 
rule (74 FR 33559 through 33589) and CY 2010 PFS final rule with 
comment period(74FR 61788 through 61844). In addition, detailed 
information about the PQRI is available on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.
    Section 1848(k)(2)(D) of the Act requires that, for the 2009 PQRI 
and subsequent years, for each quality measure adopted by the Secretary 
of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), the 
Secretary shall ensure that the eligible professionals have the 
opportunity to provide input during the development, endorsement, or 
selection of measures applicable to services they furnish. To satisfy 
this requirement with respect to the selection of 2011 PQRI measures, 
we intend to publish a proposed set of quality measures for the 2011 
PQRI in the Federal Register via the CY 2011 PFS proposed rule. To 
assist us with identifying new measures or measures groups for the 
proposed set of 2011 PQRI quality measures, on November 16, 2009, we 
solicited suggestions for individual measures and measure groups [e.g., 
suggestions for new measures groups and/or suggestions for the 
composition of existing measures group(s)] for possible inclusion in 
the proposed set of 2011 PQRI quality measures. The ``2011 PQRI Call 
for Measures'' was posted on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/QMIS/CallforMeasures.asp. The deadline for 
submitting quality measures suggestions in response to the ``2011 PQRI 
Call for Measures'' was 5 p.m. E.S.T. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.
    We also intend to address other program components of the 2011 PQRI 
in the CY 2011 PFS proposed rule, such as the reporting mechanisms, 
reporting periods, criteria for satisfactory reporting, the group 
practice reporting option, and public reporting of 2011 PQRI data. We 
will formally propose aspects of the 2011 PQRI in the CY 2011 PFS 
proposed rule. Our goals for the 2011 PQRI include increasing 
participation in this voluntary reporting program and leveraging the 
benefits of alternative reporting mechanisms, such as registry-based 
reporting, EHR-based reporting, and the group practice reporting 
option.
    This listening session will be hosted to solicit input from 
eligible professionals and other interested parties on the individual 
quality measure and measures group suggestions received in response to 
the ``2011 PQRI Call for Measures'' and on other changes being 
considered for the future with regard to the key components of the PQRI 
described above. Prior to the listening session, we will post a summary 
of the individual quality measures and measures groups being considered 
for possible inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures for use 
in the 2011 PQRI program and the policy options related to the 
components of the program described above that we are considering to 
potentially propose for the 2011 PQRI on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI. We anticipate posting this summary by January 18, 
2010. We will consider the input that we receive from stakeholders as a 
result of this listening session as we develop our policy proposals for 
the 2011 PQRI program. We will determine which individual measures and 
measures group(s) to include in the proposed set of 2011 quality 
measures and the

[[Page 67240]]

changes to the design of the PQRI to propose for 2011 and publish these 
proposals in the CY 2011 PFS proposed rule. After a period of public 
comment, we will make the determination with regard to the final set of 
quality measures for the 2011 PQRI and the final 2011 PQRI program 
requirements and publish them in the CY 2011 PFS final rule.

II. Listening Session Format

    The listening session will be held on February 2, 2010 beginning at 
10 a.m. E.S.T. with an overview of the objectives for the session. The 
remainder of the meeting will be devoted to presenting and receiving 
input on possible key program design changes under consideration for 
each of the major components of PQRI as follows--
     The individual quality measures and measure group 
suggestions received in response to the ``2011 PQRI Call for 
Measures'';
     Reporting mechanisms;
     Reporting periods;
     Criteria for satisfactory reporting;
     The group practice reporting option, and
     Policies with respect to public reporting of 2011 PQRI 
data.

Following each presentation, the meeting agenda will provide 
opportunities for brief 2-minute comments on each of the key issues 
from on-site session attendees. As time allows, telephone participants 
will also have the opportunity to provide brief 2-minutecomments on 
each of the key issues. A lunch break will occur at approximately 12:30 
p.m. E.ST. The meeting will conclude by 4:30.p.m. E.S.T. Written 
submissions will also be accepted up until the timeframe specified in 
the DATES section of this notice.

III. Registration Instructions

    While there is no registration fee, for security reasons, any 
persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by the date listed 
in the DATES section of this notice. Persons interested in attending 
the meeting or participating by teleconference must register by 
completing the online registration via the Web site at http://www.usqualitymeasures.org. The online registration system will generate 
a confirmation page to indicate the completion of your registration. 
Please print this page as your registration receipt. If seating 
capacity has been reached, you will be notified that the meeting has 
reached capacity.
    Individuals may also participate in the listening session by 
teleconference. Registration is required as the number of call-in lines 
will be limited. The call-in number will be provided upon confirmation 
of registration.
    We anticipate posting an audio download and/or transcript of the 
listening session on the CMS PQRI website after completion of the 
listening session. See Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. In planning your 
arrival time, we recommend you to arrive at the central building no 
later than 9 a.m. E.S.T.to allow for enough time to clear security and 
to check in before the session begins. The on-site check-in for 
visitors will begin at 9:30 a.m. E.S.T. All items brought to the 
building, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to 
support a presentation, including items such as laptops, cell phones, 
and palm pilots, are subject to physical inspection.
    Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Interior and exterior inspection of vehicles (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Passing through a metal detector and inspection of items 
brought into the building. We note that all items brought to CMS, 
whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a 
demonstration, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume 
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, 
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings 
or items used for demonstration or to support a demonstration.

    Note:  Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 45 
minutes prior to the convening of the meeting.

    All visitors must be escorted in areas other than the lower and 
first floor levels in the Central Building. Seating capacity is limited 
to the first 250 registrants.
    Authority: Section 1848(k) of the Social Security Act; Section 
1848(m) of the Social Security Act.

(Program No. 93.774, Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance 
Program)

    Dated: December 10, 2009.
Charlene Frizzera,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. E9-30122 Filed 12-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P