PQRS: Are higher scores better for PQRS measures?
September 11, 2016
Written by Sarah Leake
No. Higher scores are not ALWAYS better for PQRS measures.
When assessing and choosing measures to report for PQRS do not always assume that higher is better. Be careful to consider the performance notations for the particular measure which shows whether the higher or lower number is best performance. For measures with inverse performance rates a lower performance rate actually indicates higher clinical care. Below is an example of Measure #238 from the Claims and Registry specifications document with an inverse performance rate in the Numerator Instruction.
Measure #238: Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly
- Percentage of patients 66 years of age and older who were ordered high-risk medications. Two rates are reported.
- a. Percentage of patients who were ordered at least one high-risk medication, and
b. Percentage of patients who were ordered at least two high-risk medications.
*Numerator Instructions: A lower calculated performance rate for this measure indicates better clinical care or control. The “Performance Not Met” numerator option for this measure is the representation of the better clinical quality or control.
Also note that it is acceptable to have a 0% performance rate or a zero score for these measures with a negative performance notation.
Links
Specifications for the performance notation 2016 PQRS Individual Measure Specifications for Claims and Registry reporting.
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