There are four confirmed measures that dermatologists can report on for the 2012 program year. A provider is eligible to earn an incentive of 0.5 percent of total allowed Part B charges to CMS for the chosen reporting period if he or she reports on at least three measures via electronic registry. The measures are as follows:
Quality measure
| Details |
| Melanoma: Continuity of Care Recall System (Measure #137) | Percentage of patients, regardless of age, with a current diagnosis of melanoma or a history of melanoma whose information was entered at least once within a 12-month period into a recall system that includes: - A target date for the next complete physical skin exam, AND
- A process to follow up with patients who either did not make an appointment within the specified time frame or who missed a scheduled appointment.
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| Melanoma: Coordination of Care (Measure #138): | Percentage of patient visits, regardless of patient age, with a new occurrence of melanoma. They must have a treatment plan documented in the chart that was communicated to the physician(s) providing continuing care within one month of diagnosis. |
| Melanoma: Overutilization of Imaging Melanoma (Measure #224): | Percentage of patients with melanoma, without signs or symptoms, for whom no diagnostic imaging studies were ordered.
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| Biopsy Follow-Up (Measure #265)* | Percentage of patients whose biopsy results have been reviewed and communicated to the primary care/referring physician and patient by the performing physician. To satisfy this measure, the biopsying physician must review the biopsy results with the patient, communicate those results to the primary care/referring physician, track communication in a log, and document the tracking process in the patient’s medical record. This measure applies to all patients who undergo a biopsy, regardless of diagnosis. |
*Measure 265, biopsy follow-up, has been added to the PQRS program for 2012.
Measures 137, 138 and 224, all related to melanoma, will continue from the 2011 program. Measure 224, overutilization of imaging studies in melanoma, has changed to include all melanoma patients for performance, regardless of stage.
Measures must be reported through a qualified electronic registry, such as the AAD Quality Reporting System. The 2012 QRS module is $249 per physician.
View these links for more information about the 2012 program and requirements: