The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) specifications for the 2020 reporting period for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals, and the 2020 performance period for Eligible Professionals and Eligible Clinicians. These updated eCQMs are to be used to electronically report 2020 clinical quality measure data for CMS quality reporting programs. Measures will not be eligible for 2020 reporting unless and until they are proposed and finalized through notice-and-comment rulemaking for each applicable program.

CMS has updated eCQMs for potential inclusion in the following programs:

• The Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program
• The Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs
• Quality Payment Program: The Merit-based Incentive Payment System and Advanced Alternative Payment Models
• Comprehensive Primary Care Plus

The updated eCQM specifications are available on the Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement  Resource Center for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals and Eligible Professionals and Eligible Clinicians under the 2020 Reporting/Performance Year. Other eCQM materials, including the Guide for Reading eCQMs, eCQM Logic and Implementation Guidance, tables of eCQMs, and technical release notes, are also available at the same locations. The Guide to Reading eCQMs and eCQM Logic and Implementation Guidance have been updated based on user feedback as well.

For more information visit the McDermottPlus Payment Innovation Resource Center or contact Sheila Madhani at 202-204-1459 or smadhani@mcdermottplus.com.