United Rheumatology Launches Simplified MIPS Reporting Application Using Quality Measures Created By And For Independent Rheumatologists

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Oct. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Rheumatology (UR), the pre-eminent service organization optimizing the practice of community rheumatologists, today announced that it has applied for recognition as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR). The registry, called UREQA© (United Rheumatology Effectiveness and Quality Analytics), was created to help independent rheumatologists easily report relevant MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) quality data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

United Rheumatology has also developed a set of proprietary rheumatology-specific quality measures that will be available for quality reporting though UREQA, subject to CMS approval. The proprietary measures are based on United Rheumatology's copyrighted Clinical Practice Pathways, and span multiple rheumatologic diseases, allowing community rheumatologists to report on measures applicable to their patients' conditions.  

"Our members are focused on improving care to their patients, while remaining independent," said Dr. Max Hamburger, Founder and Executive Chairman of United Rheumatology. "UREQA is a new benefit, available free of charge to our members, that will help our members deliver the best care while easing the administrative burden of MIPS reporting."

In addition to United Rheumatology's proprietary measures, nearly 300 additional existing MIPS quality measures, including electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs), will be reportable to CMS through UREQA. It will be possible to use data submitted to United Rheumatology's Standard Data Warehouse to satisfy MIPS measures through UREQA, eliminating the need for redundant submission to a separate registry. UREQA will also accept other methods of data entry for members that are not yet submitting data to the UR Data Warehouse or require additional flexibility due to electronic medical records constraints.

Additionally, participants will be able to use UREQA to satisfy MIPS attestation requirements for Advancing Care Information (ACI) and Clinical Practice Improvement Activities (CPIA). UREQA will include a personalized, web-based dashboard that summarizes MIPS performance and estimates scoring at the practice- and provider-level.

According to Jon Glaudemans, CEO of United Rheumatology, "UREQA is a core benefit for members, allowing them to track adherence to our member-created Clinical Practice Pathways. This is an important step towards helping our members improve the quality of care for their patients and demonstrate the value we deliver to payers."    

Access to UREQA for the 2018 reporting year is included as a no-cost benefit of United Rheumatology membership.

About United Rheumatology:

United Rheumatology is the pre-eminent service organization optimizing the practice of independent rheumatologists on behalf of patients. Founded in 2014, and with over 380 members in 30 U.S. states, United Rheumatology helps rheumatologists advance the standard of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and manage the challenges of preserving an independent rheumatology practice.

SOURCE United Rheumatology

Related Links

http://www.unitedrheumatology.org