Don't miss upcoming deadlines for PQRS

Deadlines for data submission for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) are fast approaching.

The 2013 reporting year will be the last year to participate in PQRS and receive an incentive payment of 0.5% of the total allowed charges for Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS)-covered services during 2015. In addition, failure to participate in PQRS during 2013 triggers a 1.5% reduction in Medicare reimbursement in 2015.

The specific deadlines for the data submission are dependent on a physician's reporting method.

• Physicians submitting data through an EHR or claims-based reporting for the 2013 PQRS requirement must have their data and claims processed by Feb. 28, 2014.
• Physicians submitting data through a qualified registry should check with their registry to determine the registry-specific deadline for physician data submission. Qualified registries have until March 31, 2014, to send their data to CMS; however, many registries have earlier deadlines for physician data submission.
• March 13, 2014, is the deadline for data submission for physicians using the PQRSwizard.

ACP offers several resources to help in meeting the PQRS reporting requirements. The PQRSwizard online tool is similar to tax preparation software, designed to help physicians and other eligible professionals quickly and easily participate in the PQRS requirements. ACP members can purchase the PQRSwizard at a discounted rate. More information available on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is available online, as is information on the PQRSwizard.

An instructional video sponsored by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) provides an overview of PQRS reporting options and a demonstration of the PQRSwizard registry.

For more information on upcoming important dates related to a variety of regulatory, payment, educational and delivery system changes and requirements, visit ACP's Physician and Practice Timeline.