ACO - CMS Web Interface (APP)
2022 Measure Specifications
The CMS Web Interface lets groups, virtual groups, and APM entities of 25 or more eligible clinicians securely submit over the internet.
ACO-13 (Care-2)
Falls: Screening for Future Fall Risk
Measure Description
Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were screened for future fall risk during the measurement period.
Denominator
Patients aged 65 years and older with a visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions: None
Denominator Exceptions: None
​
Numerator
Patients who were screened for future fall risk at least once within the measurement period.
Definitions
Screening for Future Fall Risk: Assessment of whether an individual has experienced a fall or problems with gait or balance. A specific screening tool is not required for this measure, however potential screening tools include the Morse Fall Scale and the timed Get-Up-And-Go test.
​
Fall: A sudden, unintentional change in position causing an individual to land at a lower level, on an object, the floor, or the ground, other than as a consequence of sudden onset of paralysis, epileptic seizure, or overwhelming external force.
2022 Changes
​
Denominator Exclusion:
"Patient is assessed to be non-ambulatory at the most recent encounter during the measurement year" has been removed by CMS for Performance Year 2022.
ACO-27 (DM-2)
Diabetes: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Poor Control (>9%)
Measure Description
Percentage of patients 18-75 years of age with diabetes who had hemoglobin A1c >9.0% during the measurement period.
​
Denominator
Patients 18-75 years of age with diabetes with a visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
Patients age 66 and older in institutional special needs plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care with a POS code 32, 33, 34, 54 or 56 for more than 90 consecutive days during the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND a dispensed medication for dementia during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND either one acute inpatient encounter with a diagnosis of advanced illness or two outpatient, observation, ED or nonacute inpatient encounters on different dates of service with an advanced illness diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
Dementia Exclusion Medications:
Cholinesterase inhibitors - Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
Miscellaneous central nervous system agents - Memantine
Denominator Exceptions:
None
​
Numerator
Patients whose most recent HbA1c level (performed during the measurement period) is >9.0%.
Guidance
Patient is numerator compliant if most recent HbA1c level is >9.0%, the most recent HbA1c result is missing, or if there are no HbA1c tests performed and results documented during the measurement period. Do not include HbA1c levels reported by the patient. If the HbA1c test result is in the medical record, the test can be used to determine numerator compliance. Ranges and thresholds do not meet criteria for this indicator. A distinct numeric result is required for numerator compliance.
​
Only patients with a diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes should be included in the denominator of the measure; patients with a diagnosis of secondary diabetes due to another condition should not be included.
2022 Changes
​
Denominator Exclusion:
"Patients age 66 and older in institutional Special Needs Plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care ....." has been updated to 90 consecutive days during the measure year.
ACO-28 (HTN-2)
Controlling High Blood Pressure
Measure Description
Percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period, and whose most recent blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90 mmHg) during the measurement period.
​
Denominator
Patients 18-85 years of age who had a visit and a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
Patients with evidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis or renal transplant before or during the measurement period. Also exclude patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy during the measurement period.
or
Patients age 66 and older in institutional special needs plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care with a POS code 32, 33, 34, 54 or 56 for more than 90 consecutive days during the measurement period.
or
Patients 66-80 years of age with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND a dispensed medication for dementia during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
or
Patients 66-80 years of age with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND either one acute inpatient encounter with a diagnosis of advanced illness or two outpatient, observation, ED or nonacute inpatient encounters on different dates of service with an advanced illness diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
or
Patients 81 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period.
Dementia Exclusion Medications
Cholinesterase inhibitors - Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
Miscellaneous central nervous system agents - Memantine
Denominator Exceptions
None
​
Numerator
Patients whose most recent blood pressure is adequately controlled (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) during the measurement period.
Guidance
In reference to the numerator element, only blood pressure readings performed by a clinician or a remote monitoring device are acceptable for numerator compliance with this measure. This includes blood pressures taken in person by a clinician and blood pressures measured remotely by electronic monitoring devices capable of transmitting the blood pressure data to the clinician. Blood pressure reading taken by a remote monitoring device and conveyed by the patient to the clinician are also acceptable. It is the clinician's responsibility and discretion to confirm the remote monitoring device used to obtain the blood pressure is considered acceptable and reliable and whether the blood pressure reading is considered accurate before documenting it in the patient's medical record.
​
Do not include BP readings:
-
Taken during an acute inpatient stay or an ED visit
-
Taken on the same day as a diagnostic test or diagnostic or therapeutic procedure that requires a change in diet or change in medication on or one day before the day of the test or procedure, with the exception of fasting blood tests. BP reading taken on the same day that the member receives a common low-intensity or preventive procedure are eligible for use.
-
Taken by the patient using a non-digital devise such as with a manual blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope.
​
If no blood pressure is recorded during the measurement period, the patient's blood pressure is assumed "not controlled."
​
If there are multiple blood pressure readings on the same day, use the lowest systolic and the lowest diastolic reading as the most recent blood pressure reading.
2022 Changes
​
Denominator Exclusion:
"Patients age 66 and older in institutional Special Needs Plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care ....." has been updated to 90 consecutive days during the measure year.
​
Frailty Exclusion has an age update:
​Patients age 66-80 years of age with at least one encounter for frailty during the measurement year, who also satisfies any one of the following three conditions during the measurement year or the year prior:
-
dispensed medication for dementia or
-
one acute inpatient encounter with a diagnosis of advanced illness or
-
two outpatient, observation, ED or nonacute inpatient encounters on different dates of service with an advanced illness diagnosis or
Patient 81 years of age or older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period​
​
ACO-40 (MH-1)
Depression Remission at 12 Months
Measure Description
The percentage of adolescent patients 12 to 17 years of age and adult patients 18 years of age or older with major depression or dysthymia who reached remission 12 months (+/- 60 days) after an index event.
Denominator
Adolescent patients 12 to 17 years of age and adult patients 18 years of age or older with a diagnosis of major depression or dysthymia and an initial Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item version (PHQ-9) or Patient Health Questionnaire- Modified for Teens and Adolescents (PHQ-9M) score greater than nine during the index event. Patients may be assessed using PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M on the same date or up to 7 days prior to the encounter (index event).
Denominator Exclusions:
Patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder
Patients with a diagnosis of select personality disorder
Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychotic disorder
Patients with a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder
Patients who were permanent nursing home residents
Patients with a diagnosis of personality disorder emotionally labile
Denominator Exceptions:
None
​
Numerator
Adolescent patients 12 to 17 years of age and adult patients 18 years of age and older who achieved remission at twelve months as demonstrated by a twelve month (+/- 60 days) PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M score of less than five.
Definition
Denominator Identification Period: The period in which eligible patients can have an index event. The denominator identification period occurs prior to the measurement period and is defined as 14 months to two months prior to the start of the measurement period. The denominator identification period is from 11/1/2020 to 10/31/2021. For patients with an index event, there needs to be enough time following the index for the patients to have the opportunity to reach remission twelve months +/- 60 days after the index event.
​
Index Event Date: The date in which the first instance of elevated PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M greater than nine AND diagnosis of depression or dysthymia occurs during the denominator identification period (11/01/2020 to 10/31/2021). Patients may be assessed using PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M on the same date or up to seven days prior to the encounter (index event).
​
Measure Assessment Period: The index event date marks the start of the measurement assessment period for each patient which is 14 months (12 months +/- 60 days) in length to allow for a follow-up PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M between 10 and 14 months following the index event. This assessment period is fixed and does not "start over" with a higher PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M that may occur after the index event date.
​
Remission: Is defined as a PHQ-9 or PHQ-9M score of less than five.
​
Twelve Months: Is defined as the point in time from the index event date extending out twelve months and then allowing a grace period of sixty days prior to and sixty days after this date. The most recent PHQ-9 and PHQ-9M score less than five obtained during this four month period is deemed as remission at twelve months, values obtained prior to or after this period are not counted as numerator compliant (remission).
​
Guidance:
When a baseline assessment is conducted with PHQ-9M, the follow-up assessment can use either a PHQ-9M or PHQ-9.
2022 Changes
​
Medical Exception added additional diagnosis :
"Patient is permanent resident of a nursing home or has diagnosis of bipolar disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia or psychotic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder", added personality disorder emotionally labile.
​
​
ACO-20 (PREV-5)
Breast Cancer Screening
Measure Description
Percentage of women 50-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the measurement period.
Denominator
Women 51-74 years of age with a visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and left unilateral mastectomy.
or
Patients age 66 and older in institutional special needs plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care with a POS 32, 33, 34, 54 or 56 for more than 90 consecutive days during the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND a dispensed medication for dementia during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND either one acute inpatient encounter with a diagnosis of advanced illness or two outpatient, observation, ED or nonacute inpatient encounters on different dates of service with an advanced illness diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
Dementia Exclusion Medications
Cholinesterase inhibitors - Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
Miscellaneous central nervous system agents - Memantine
Denominator Exceptions:
None
​
Numerator
Women with one or more mammograms during the 27 months prior to the end of the measurement period.
Definition
Mammography screening is defined by a bilateral screening (both breasts) of breast tissue. If only one breast is present, unilateral screening (one side) must be performed on the remaining breast.
​
Guidance
This measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening.
2022 Changes
​
Denominator Exclusion:
"Patients age 66 and older in institutional Special Needs Plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care ....." has been updated to 90 consecutive days during the measure year.
ACO-19 (PREV-6)
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Measure Description
Percentage of adults 50-75 years of age who had appropriate screening for colorectal cancer
Denominator
Patients 50-75 years of age with a visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
Patients with a diagnosis or past history of total colectomy or colorectal cancer
or
Patients age 66 and older in institutional special needs plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care with a POS code 32, 33, 34, 54, or 56 for more than 90 consecutive days during the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND a dispensed medication for dementia during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
or
Patients 66 years of age and older with at least one claim/encounter for frailty during the measurement period AND either one acute inpatient encounter with a diagnosis of advanced illness or two outpatient, observation, ED or nonacute inpatient encounters on different dates of service with an advanced illness diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior to the measurement period.
Dementia Exclusion Medications
Cholinesterase inhibitors - Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
Miscellaneous central nervous system agents - Memantine
Denominator Exceptions:
None
​
Numerator
Patients with one or more screenings for colorectal cancer. Appropriate screenings are defined by any one of the following criteria:
-
Fecal occult blood test (FBOT) during the measurement period
-
Flexible sigmoidoscopy during the measurement period or the four years prior to the measurement period.
-
Colonoscopy during the measurement period or the nine years prior to the measurement period
-
Fecal immunochemical DNA test (FIT-DNA) during the measurement period or the the two years prior to the measurement period
-
Computed tomography (CT) Colonoscopy during the measurement period or the four years prior to the measurement period
Guidance
-
Do not count DRE, FOBT tests performed in an office setting or performed on a sample collected via DRE.
2022 Changes
​
Denominator Exclusion:
"Patients age 66 and older in institutional Special Needs Plans (SNP) or residing in long-term care ....." has been updated to 90 consecutive days during the measure year.
ACO-14 (PREV-7)
Influenza Immunization
Measure Description
Percentage of patients aged 6 months and older seen for a visit between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022 who received an influenza immunization OR who reported previous receipt of an influenza immunization
Denominator
All patients aged 6 months and older seen for a visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
None
Denominator Exceptions:
-
Documentation of medical reason(s) for not receiving influenza immunization (e.g., patient allergy, other medical reasons)
-
Documentation of patient reason(s) for not receiving influenza immunization (e.g., patient declined, other patient reasons)
-
Documentation of system reason(s) for not receiving influenza immunization (e.g., vaccine not available, other system reasons)
Numerator
Patients who received an influenza immunization OR who reported previous receipt of an influenza immunization (August 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022)
​Definition:
Previous Receipt: receipt of the current season's influenza immunization from another provider OR from the same provider prior to the visit to which the measure is applied (typically, prior vaccination would include influenza vaccine given since August 1st)
Guidance
To enable reporting of this measure at the close of the reporting period, this measure will only access the influenza season that ends in March of the reporting period. The subsequent influenza season (ending March of the following year) will be measured and reported in the following year.
​
Due to the changing nature of the CDC/ACIP recommendations regarding the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for a particular flu season, this measure will not include the administration of this specific formulation of the flu vaccination. Given the variance of the timeframes for the annual update cycles, program implementation, and publication of revised recommendations for the CDC/ACIP, it has been determined that the coding for this measure will specifically exclude this formulation, so as not to inappropriately include this form of the vaccine for flu seasons when CDC/ACIP explicitly advise against it. However, it is recommended that all eligible professionals or eligible clinicians review the guidelines for each flu season to determine appropriateness of the LAIV and other formulations of the flu vaccine. Should the LAIV be recommended for administration for a particular flu season, an eligible professional or clinician may consider one of the following options: 1) satisfy the numerator by reporting previous receipt or using the CVX 88 for unspecified formulation, 2) report a denominator exception, either as a patient reason (e.g., for patient preference) or a system reason (e.g., the institution only carries LAIV).
ACO-17 (PREV-10)
Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention
Measure Description
Percentage of patients age 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times within the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months if identified as a tobacco user.
​
Three rates are reported:
-
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times within the measurement period.
-
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were identified as a tobacco user who received tobacco cessation intervention on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months.
-
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times within the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention if identified as tobacco user on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months.
Denominator
Population 1: All patients aged 18 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least one preventive visit during the measurement period.
Population 2: All patients aged 18 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least one preventive visit during the measurement period and who were screened for tobacco use and identified as a tobacco user.
Population 3: All patients aged 18 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least on preventive visit during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
None
Denominator Exceptions:
Population 1: Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for tobacco use (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)
Population 2: Documentation of medical reason(s) for not providing tobacco cessation intervention (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)
Population 3: Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for tobacco use OR for not providing tobacco cessation intervention for patients identified as tobacco users (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)
Numerator
Population 1: Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once within the measurement period.
Population 2: Patients who received tobacco cessation intervention on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months.
Population 3: Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once within the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention if identified as a tobacco user on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months.
Definitions:
Tobacco Use - Includes any type of tobacco
​
Tobacco Cessation Intervention - Includes brief counseling (3 minutes or less), and/or pharmacotherapy --
Note: Concepts aligned with brief counseling (e.g., minimal and intensive advise/counseling interventions conducted both in person and over the phone) are included in the 2022 CMS Web Interface PREV-10 Coding Document for the numerator. Other concepts such as written self-help materials (e.g., brochures, pamphlets) and complementary/alternative therapies are not included in the 2022 CMS Web Interface PREV-10 Coding Document and do not qualify for the numerator. Brief counseling also may be of longer duration or be performed more frequently, as evidence shows there is a does-response relationship between the intensity of counseling provided (either length or frequency) and tobacco cessation rate (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2015).
Guidance
The requirement of two or more visits is to establish that the eligible professional or eligible clinician has an existing relationship with the patient for certain types of encounters.
To satisfy the intent of this measure, a patient must have at least one tobacco use screening during the measurement period. If a patient has multiple tobacco use screenings during the measurement period, only the most recent screening, which has a documented status of tobacco user or tobacco non-user, will be used to satisfy the measure requirements.
If a patient uses any type of tobacco (i.e., smokes or uses smokeless tobacco), the expectation is that they should receive tobacco cessation intervention on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months: either counseling and/or pharmacotherapy.
As noted in Appendix III (See 2022 Prev-10 PDF below) in a recommendation statement from the USPSTF, the current evidence is insufficient to recommend electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) including electronic cigarettes for tobacco cessation. Additionally, ENDS are not currently classified as tobacco in the recent evidence review to support the update of the USPSTF recommendation given that the devices do not burn or use tobacco leaves. In light of the current lack of evidence, the measure does not currently capture e-cigarette usage as either tobacco use or a cessation aid.
If tobacco use status of a patient is unknown, the patient does not meet the screening component required to be counted in the numerator and should be considered a measure failure. Instances where tobacco use status of “unknown” is recorded include: 1) the patient was not screened; or 2) the patient was screened and the patient (or caregiver) was unable to provide a definitive answer. If the patient does not meet the screening component of the numerator but has an allowable medical exception, then the patient should be removed from the denominator of the measure and reported as a valid exception.
In order to promote a team-based approach to patient care, the tobacco cessation intervention can be performed by another healthcare provider; therefore, the tobacco use screening and tobacco cessation intervention do not need to be performed by the same provider or clinician.
The medical reason exception may be applied to either the screening data element OR to any of the applicable tobacco cessation intervention data elements (counseling and/or pharmacotherapy) included in the measure.
If a patient has a diagnosis of limited life expectancy, that patient has a valid denominator exception for not being screened for tobacco use or for not receiving tobacco use cessation intervention (counseling and/or pharmacotherapy) if identified as a tobacco user.
This measure contains three reporting rates which aim to identify patients who were screened for tobacco use (rate/population 1), patients who were identified as tobacco users and who received tobacco cessation intervention on the date of the encounter or within the previous 12 months (rate/population 2), and a comprehensive look at the overall performance on tobacco screening and cessation intervention (rate/population 3). By separating this measure into various reporting rates, the eligible professional or eligible clinician will be able to better ascertain where gaps in performance exist, and identify opportunities for improvement. The overall rate (rate/population 3) can be utilized to compare performance to published versions of this measure prior to the 2018 performance year, when the measure had a single performance rate. For accountability reporting in the CMS MIPS program, the rate for population 2 is used for performance.
The denominator of population criteria 2 is a subset of the resulting numerator for population criteria 1, as population criteria 2 is limited to assessing if patients identified as tobacco users received an appropriate tobacco cessation intervention. For all patients, population criteria 1 and 3 are applicable, but population criteria 2 will only be applicable for those patients who are identified as tobacco users. Therefore, data for every patient that meets the initial population criteria will only be submitted for population 1 and 3, whereas data submitted for population 2 will be for a subset of patients who meet the initial population criteria, as the denominator has been further limited to those who were identified as tobacco users.
2022 Changes
​
Measure performance period changed from 24 months to 12 months.
ACO-18 (PREV-12)
Screening for Depression and Follow-up Plan
Measure Description
Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older screened for depression on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age appropriate standardized depression screening tool AND if positive, a follow-up plan is documented on the date of the eligible encounter.
Denominator
All patients aged 12 years and older at the beginning of the measurement period with at least one eligible encounter during the measurement period.
Denominator Exclusions:
None
Denominator Exceptions:
Patient Reason(s): Patient refuses to participate
OR
Medical Reason(s): Documentation of medical reason for not screening patient for depression (e.g., cognitive, functional, or motivational limitations that may impact accuracy of results; patient is in an urgent or emergent situation where time is of the essence and to delay treatment would jeopardize the patient's health status.)
​
Numerator
Patients screened for depression on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age appropriate standardized tool AND if positive, a follow-up plan is documented on the date of the eligible encounter.
Definitions
Screening: Completion of a clinical or diagnostic tool used to identify people at risk of developing or having a certain disease or condition, even in the absence of symptoms.
Standardized Depression Screening Tool - A normalized and validated depression screening tool developed for the patient population in which it is being utilized.
Examples of depression screening tools include but are not limited to:
-
Adolescent Screening Tools (12-17 years)
-
Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A)​
-
Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care Version (BDI-PC)
-
Mood Feeling Questionnaire (MFQ)
-
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
-
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
-
Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17)
-
Prime MD-PHQ-2
-
-
Adult Screening Tools (18 years and older)​
-
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
-
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI or BDI-II)
-
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
-
Depression Scale (DEPS)
-
Duke Anxiety-Depression Scale (DADS)
-
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
-
Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD)
-
Prime MD-PHQ-2
-
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D)
-
Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QID-SR)
-
Computerized Adaptive Testing Depression Inventory (CAT-DI)
-
Computerized Adaptive Diagnostic Screener (CAD-MDD)
-
-
Perinatal Screening Tools​
-
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
-
Postpartum Depression Screening Scale
-
Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)
-
Beck Depression Inventory
-
Beck Depression Inventory -II
-
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
-
Zung Self-rating Depression Scale
-
​​
Follow-up Plan​ - Documented follow-up for a positive depression screening must include one or more of the following:
-
Referral to a provider for additional evaluation and assessment to formulate a follow-up plan for a positive depression screen
-
Pharmacological interventions
-
Other interventions or follow-up for the diagnosis or treatment of depression
Guidance
A depression screen is completed on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age appropriate standardized depression screening tool AND if positive, a follow-up plan must be documented on the date of the encounter, such as a referral to a provider for additional evaluation, pharmacological interventions, or other interventions for the treatment of depression.
​
This is a patient-based measure. Depression screening is required once per measurement period, not at all encounters.
​
This measure does not require documentation of a specific score, just whether results of the normalized and validated depression screening tool used are considered positive or negative. Each standardized screening tool provides guidance on whether a particular score is considered positive for depression.
​
The intent of the measure is to screen for depression in patients who have never had a diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder prior to the eligible encounter used to evaluate the numerator. Patients who have ever been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder will be excluded from the measure.
​
Screening Tools:
-
An age appropriate standardized, and validated depression screening tool utilized must be used for numerator compliance.
-
The name of the age appropriate standardized depression screening tool utilized must be document in the medical record.
-
The depression screening must be reviewed and addressed by the provider, filing the code, on the date of the encounter. Positive pre-screening results indicating a patient is at high risk for self-harm should receive more urgent intervention as determined by the provider practice.
-
The screening should occur during a qualified encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the qualifying encounter
-
The measure assesses the most recent depression screening completed either during the eligible encounter or within the 14 days prior to that encounter. Therefore, a clinician would not be able to complete another screening at the time of the encounter to count towards a follow-up, because that would serve as the most recent screening. To satisfy the follow-up requirement for a patient screening positively, the eligible clinician would need to provide one of the aforementioned follow-up actions, which does not include use of a standardized depression screening tool.
Follow-up Plan:​
-
The follow-up plan must be related to a positive depression screening, example: "Patient referred for psychiatric evaluation due to positive depression screening."
​
Examples of a follow-up plan include but are not limited to:​
-
Referral to a provider, practitioner or program for further evaluation for depression, for example, referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, mental health counselor, or other mental health service such as family or group therapy, support group, depression management program, or other service for treatment of depression
-
Other interventions designed to treat depression such as behavioral health evaluation, psychotherapy, pharmacological interventions, or additional treatment options
​
Should a patient screen positive for depression a clinician should:
-
Only order pharmacological intervention when appropriate and after sufficient diagnostic evaluation. However, for purposes of this measure, additional screening and assessment during the qualifying encounter will not qualify as a follow-up plan.
-
Opt to complete a suicide risk assessment when appropriate and based on individual patient characteristics. However, for the purposes of this measure, a suicide risk assessment or additional screening using a standardized tool will not qualify as a follow-up plan.
​
The Term "active diagnosis" is defined as a diagnosis that is either on the patient's problem list, a diagnosis code description listed on the encounter, or is documented in a progress note indicating that the patient is being treated or managed for the disease or condition during the measurement period.
2022 Changes
​
Medical reason for screening not completed updated with additional responses "cognitive, functional, or motivational limitations that may impact accuracy of results, urgent or emergent situation."
ACO-42 (PREV-13)
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Measure Description
Percentage of the following patients - all considered at high risk of cardiovascular events - who were prescribed or were on statin therapy during the measurement period:
-
All patients who were previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including an ASCVD procedure; OR
-
Patients aged >=20 years who have ever had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level >190 mg/dl or were previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia; OR
-
Patients aged 40-75 years with a diagnosis of diabetes
Denominator
All patients who meet one or more of the following criteria (considered at "high risk" for cardiovascular events, under ACC/AHA guidelines). The denominator covers three distinct populations. There is only one performance rate calculated for this measure. Use the following process to prevent counting patients more than once.
-
All patients who were previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of ASCVD, including an ASCVD procedure.​
If YES, patient meets denominator population 1 risk category
If NO, screen for next risk category
2. Patients aged >20 years at the beginning of the measurement period who have ever had laboratory result of LDL-C >190 mg/dl
or were previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia​
If YES, patient meets denominator Population 2 risk category
If NO, screen for next risk category
3. Patients aged 40 to 75 years at the beginning of the measurement period with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
If YES, patient meets denominator Population 3 risk category
If NO, patient does NOT meet denominator criteria and is NOT eligible for measure inclusion
​
Denominator Exclusions:
Patients who have a diagnosis of pregnancy at any time during the measurement period.
Patients who are breastfeeding at any time during the measurement period.
Patients who have a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis at any time during the measurement period.
Denominator Exceptions:
Patients with statin-associated muscle symptoms or an allergy to statin medication
Patients with active liver disease or hepatic disease or insufficiency
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
​​
Denominator Population Guidance for Encounter:
In order for the patient to be included in the denominator, the patient must have ONE denominator-eligible visit, defined as follows: Outpatient visit, initial or established office visit, face-to-face interaction, preventive care services, or annual wellness visit.
LDL-C Laboratory test result options:
The measure can be reported for all patients with a documented fasting or direct LDL-C level recorded as follows:
​
To meet Denominator Population 1:
There is no LDL-C result required.
​
To meet Denominator Population 2:
If a patient has ANY previous laboratory result of LDL-C >190mg/dL, report the highest value > 190 mg/dL
To meet Denominator Population 3:
There is no LDL-C result required.
​
Numerator
Patients who are actively using or who receive an order (prescription) for statin therapy at any time during the measurement period.
Note: In order to meet the measure, current statin therapy use must be documented in the patient's current medication list or ordered during the measurement period. ONLY statin therapy meets the measure Numerator criteria (NOT other cholesterol lowering medications.) Prescription or order does NOT need to be linked to an encounter or visit; it may be called to the pharmacy. Statin medication "samples" provided to patients can be documented as "current statin therapy" if documented in the medication list in health/medical record. Patients who meet the denominator criteria for inclusion, but are not prescribed or using statin therapy, will NOT meet performance for this measure unless they have an allowable denominator exception. Adherence to statin therapy is not calculated in this measure. Denominator exceptions should be active during the measurement period.
​
It may be appropriate to prescribe statin therapy for some patients (see exceptions and exclusions for the complete list).
​
Definitions
Clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) includes:
-
Acute coronary syndromes
-
History of myocardial infraction
-
Stable or unstable angina
-
Coronary or other arterial revascularization
-
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
-
Peripheral arterial disease of atherosclerotic origin
​
Lipoprotein Density Cholesterol (LDL-C) result: A fasting or non-fasting LDL-C laboratory test performed and direct or calculated test result document in the medical record. When both direct and calculated test results are available on the same day, the direct LDL-C test should be used.
​
Statin Therapy: Administration of one or more of a group of medication that are used to lower plasma lipoprotein levels in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia.
​
Statin Medication Therapy List (Note: List does NOT include dosage) is included in the clinical recommendations .
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Statin Associated Muscle Symptoms (SAMS) - The 2018 ACC/AHA/MS Guideline (Grundy et al., 2019) includes the following SAMS: myalgias, myositis, myopathy or statin-associated autoimmune myopathy. Patients who experience significant or repeated statin-associated muscle symptoms may prefer not to take or continue statin therapy and therefore may be removed from the denominator.
​
Intensity of statin therapy in primary and secondary prevention:
The expert panel of the 2018 ACC/AHA/MS Guidelines (Grundy et al. 2019) defines recommended intensity of statin therapy on the basis of the average expected LDL-C response to specific statin and dose. Although intensity of statin therapy is important in managing cholesterol, this measure assesses prescription of ANY statin therapy, irrespective of intensity. Assessment of appropriate intensity and dosage documentation added too much complexity to allow inclusion of statin therapy intensity in the measure at this time.
​
Lifestyle modification coaching:
A healthy lifestyle is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, lifestyle modification monitoring and documentation added too much complexity to allow is inclusion in the measure at this time.
2022 Changes
​
Risk Category changes:
​
Risk Category 1 has been updated to "All Patients previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of clinical ASCVD, including an ASCVD procedure, before the end of the measurement period".
​
Risk Category 2 has been updated to patients ">20 years of age at the beginning of the measurement period who have ever had a laboratory result of LDL-C >= 190 mg/dL or were previously diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia".
​
Risk Category 3 has been updated to patients aged "40 to 75 years at the beginning of the measurement period with with an active diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes at any time during the measurement period"
​
Medical Exclusion response has been updated to: "Patient is NOT taking Statin and was NOT prescribed Statin for medical reasons (statin-associated muscle symptoms or an allergy to Statin medication, active liver disease or hepatic disease or insufficiency or end-stage renal disease (ESRD)"