There are four confirmed measures that dermatologists can report on for the 2013 program year. A provider is eligible to earn an incentive of 0.5 percent of total allowed Part B charges to CMS if he or she reports on at least three measures via electronic registry. This provider will also avoid a 1.5 percent payment reduction in 2015. One can also avoid the payment reduction, but not earn the incentive, if he or she reports at least one measure for one patient. The dermatology-appropriate 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 regardless of age, with a current diagnosis of stage 0 through IIC melanoma, or a history of melanoma of any stage, without signs or symptoms suggesting systemic spread, seen for an office visit during the one-year measurement period,for whom no diagnostic imaging studies were ordered.
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| Biopsy Follow-Up (Measure #265) | Percentage of new 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. |
Measures 137, 138, 224, and 265, will continue from the 2012 program. Measure 224, overutilization of imaging studies in melanoma, has changed to include only new melanoma patients with stage 0 through IIC. Measure 265 has changed to include only new patients who had a biopsy.
Measures must be reported through a qualified electronic registry, such as the AAD Quality Reporting System. The 2013 QRS module is $249 per physician.
View these links for more information about the 2013 program and requirements: