Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our practice did not begin the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) earlier this year, but now we regret it. Is there any good reason to start PQRI reporting this late in the year?

Kentucky Subscriber

Answer: If you missed the PQRI boat the first time, you could join the alternative reporting program as of July 1. CMS' alternative reporting period this year runs between July 1 and Dec. 1. "This will give an additional opportunity to begin participation in PQRI for this year," according to information noted on a June 10 CMS open-door forum.

"The 1.5 percent incentive payment will only apply for those Part B services furnished during the second half of the year, July 1 to Dec. 31, but nevertheless, professionals who report this way will be able to get that incentive payment," a CMS official said during the forum.

For more about the PQRI program, visit the CMS Web site http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri. Also, the ASA offers this Web site as a resource: http://www.asahq.org/Washington/pqri.htm.