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- 2020 Pathology Quality Measures
The Pathologists Quality Registry offers 30 quality measures. Seven are Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) clinical quality measures (CQMs). The remaining 23 are specific pathology measures, all developed by the CAP and approved by the CMS as qualified clinical data registry (QCDR) measures—exclusively available in the Pathologists Quality Registry. To better understand how to review and interpret measure specifications, the CMS has developed the 2020 Quality Payment Program Measure Specification and Measure Flow Guide for MIPS Clinical Quality Measures.
Important 2020 Updates
Beginning January 1, 2020, this measure can no longer be reported on for MIPS. The CMS removed the following QCDR measure from the Pathologists Quality Registry:
- CAP14: Appropriate Formalin Fixation Time (6 – 72 hours) of Breast Cancer Specimens to Ensure Accurate Ancillary Testing Results
For quality measure CAP29: Turnaround Time (TAT)—Lactate (formerly CAP8: Turnaround Time (TAT)—Lactate), specifications were updated
- TAT required to meet the measure reduced from 3 hours to 1 hour
For QPP 440: Skin Cancer: Biopsy Reporting Time - Pathologist to Clinician, specifications were updated
- Denominator expanded to include Melanoma, including Melanoma in-situ
Pathology Specific QPP Measures
These measures can be reported to the CMS using the Pathologists Quality Registry, through billing/claims, and other registries.
| QPP 249: Barrett Esophagus Pathology Reporting Registry and Claims Specifications |
| QPP 250: Radical Prostatectomy Pathology Reporting Registry and Claims Specifications |
| QPP 395: Lung Cancer Reporting (biopsy/cytology specimens)* Registry and Claims Specifications |
| QPP 396: Lung Cancer Reporting (resection specimens)* Registry and Claims Specifications |
| QPP 397: Melanoma Reporting* Registry and Claims Specifications |
These measures can be reported to the CMS using the Pathologists Quality Registry and other registries.
| QPP 265: Biopsy Follow-Up* Registry Specifications (American Academy of Dermatology measure) |
| QPP 440: Skin Cancer: Biopsy Reporting Time - Pathologist to Clinician* Registry Specifications (American Academy of Dermatology measure) |
Pathologists Quality Registry QCDR Measures
These measures can be reported to the CMS only with the Pathologists Quality Registry.
* = high-priority measure
** = outcome measure
ǂ = new measure for 2020
The CMS recommends that eligible professionals check with the QPP HelpDesk for more information on measures and the QPP.
Professionals may contact the QPP Help Desk.
7:00 AM–7:00 PM CT Monday - Friday
Email: QPP@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: 866-288-8292
Claims-based Reporting Information
The CAP developed an instruction sheet on claims-based reporting to assist with submitting data on quality measures for MIPS through claims. The corresponding document provides the CPT II and quality data codes (QDC) and descriptors of the for 2020 QPP measures.