C - DRAFT_2013_EHR_MeasureSpecifications_ReleaseNotes_3_21_2012_v4

2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
March 2012
The 2013 Electronic Health Record (EHR) Measure Specifications Release Notes details
a complete list of revisions made to measures since the release of the 2012 EHR
Measure Specifications. The specifications listed in the 2013 EHR Measure
Specifications have been updated to reflect clinical practice guidelines and applicable
code sets as of January, 2012. These updates have also been carried over to the 2013
EHR Downloadable Resource Tables.
These specifications may be available for potential use in physician quality initiatives,
including but not limited to the EHR submission under the 2013 Physician Quality
Reporting System (Physician Quality Reporting). A measure’s inclusion in this document
does not guarantee that measure will be used in any specific Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) program in 2013 or any subsequent year. If a measure is
included in the 2013 Physician Quality Reporting System, all measure-related EHR
coding/data should be submitted to the EHR Warehouse to ensure the accurate
calculation of performance rates. The EHR Warehouse will calculate the rates based on
the data that is submitted in the specified format for the program.
In the case of measures that have been used in the 2012 and 2011 PQRS EHR
program, the 2010 PQRI EHR program, the 2009 and 2008 PQRI EHR testing projects –
the specifications detailed in this document supersede any specifications which may
have been used in those prior activities.
Please note that a subset of the 2013 EHR Measure Specifications are available for
use in the Physician Quality Reporting System-Medicare Electronic Health Record
(EHR) Incentive Pilot. These 44 measures are identified in the table of contents of
the 2013 EHR Measure Specifications as HITECH Core Clinical Quality Measures
(HITECH CORE), HITECH Alternate Core Clinical Quality Measures (HITECH ALT
CORE), and HITECH Additional Clinical Quality Measures (HITECH). Please refer to
related documents regarding participation in the Physician Quality Reporting
System-Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Pilot posted on the
CMS website.
To determine which measures are included in any specific CMS program or
demonstration, interested parties should refer to the official documentation for that
program or demonstration. Please refer to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)
2013 Proposed Rule (to be published in the Federal Register in July, 2012) to identify
the measures that may be available for data submission through EHRs under the 2013
Physician Quality Reporting System.

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Global Edits:
• Updated Introduction to include information regarding a subset of the 2013 EHR Measure Specifications for
use in the Physician Quality Reporting System – Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Pilot
• Added language to measure titles to identify the HITECH Core Clinical Quality Measures (HITECH CORE),
HITECH Alternative Core Clinical Quality Measures (HITECH ALT CORE), and HITECH Additional Clinical
Quality Measures (HITECH) measures included in the Physician Quality Reporting System – Medicare
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Pilot
• Updated all Denominator Exclusions that have medication negation codes with language indicating that the
medication status can be inactive when submitting the medication the patient did not receive
Measure #1 (NQF 0059) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: Hemoglobin A1c Poor Control in Diabetes Mellitus
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated medication-only Denominator option to require an encounter
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #2 (NQF 0064) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) Control in Diabetes
Mellitus
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Added encounter requirement to medication-only Denominator option
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
• Removed the following data elements from Numerator 1 inclusions: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Total
Cholesterol and Triglycerides
• Removed the following data elements from Numerator 2 inclusions: Total Cholesterol with Documentation of
Total Cholesterol in mg/dL, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) with Documentation of HDL in mg/dL and
Triglycerides with Documentation of Triglycerides ≤ 400 mg/dL
Measure #3 (NQF 0061) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: High Blood Pressure Control in Diabetes Mellitus
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Added encounter requirement to medication-only Denominator option
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #5 (NQF 0081) HITECH: Heart Failure: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor or
Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of heart failure during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Removed the following data element from Denominator Inclusion: Moderate or Severe LVSD
• Updated Denominator Exclusions to clarify that the qualifying visit must occur during the measurement period
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #6 (NQF 0067) HITECH: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Antiplatelet Therapy
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of CAD during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #7 (NQF 0070) HITECH: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Beta-Blocker Therapy for CAD Patients
with Prior Myocardial Infarction (MI)
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of CAD during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Denominator Exclusions to clarify that the qualifying visit must occur during the measurement period
Measure #8 (NQF 0083) HITECH: Heart Failure: Beta-Blocker Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic
Dysfunction (LVSD)
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of heart failure during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Removed the following data element from Denominator Inclusion: Moderate or Severe LVSD
• Updated Denominator Exclusions to clarify that the qualifying visit must occur during the measurement period
Measure #9 (NQF 0105) HITECH: Anti-depressant medication management: (a) Effective Acute Phase
Treatment, (b) Effective Continuation Phase Treatment
• Removed Denominator option that only required diagnosis and medication based on the program requirement
that there must be an encounter. There is an existing Denominator option that requires encounter, diagnosis
and medication that will capture this population.
Measure #12 (NQF 0086) HITECH: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Optic Nerve Evaluation
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma during the
measurement period
• Clarified Numerator Inclusions instructions
Measure #18 (NQF 0088) HITECH: Diabetic Retinopathy: Documentation of Presence or Absence of
Macular Edema and Level of Severity of Retinopathy
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #19 (NQF 0089) HITECH: Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #39 (NQF 0046): Screening or Therapy for Osteoporosis for Women Aged 65 Years and Older
• Updated Denominator Exclusions statement to pharmacologic therapy prescribed during the measurement
period
Measure #47 (NQF 0326): Advance Care Plan
• NO CHANGES
Measure #48 (NQF 0098): Urinary Incontinence: Assessment of Presence or Absence or Urinary
Incontinence in Women Aged 65 Years and Older
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #53 (NQF 0047) HITECH: Asthma: Pharmacologic Therapy for Persistent Asthma
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma
during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Inclusions medications to require medication(s) to have an active status
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #64 (NQF 0001) HITECH: Asthma: Assessment of Asthma Control
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of asthma during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to clarify that the qualifying visit must be during the measurement
period
Measure #66 (NQF 0002) HITECH: Appropriate Testing for Children with Pharyngitis
• Updated Denominator Inclusions to require an active diagnosis of pharyngitis during the measurement period
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to clarify the qualifying visit must be during the measurement
period
Measure #71 (NQF 0387) HITECH: Breast Cancer: Hormonal Therapy for Stage IC–IIIC Estrogen Receptor/
Progesterone Receptor (ER/PR) Positive Breast Cancer
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of breast cancer stage IC-IIIC and
EP or PR positive during the measurement period
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to clarify that history of breast cancer includes patients with an
initial diagnosis date of breast cancer within 5 years prior to their last qualifying visit during the measurement
period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Inclusions medications to clarify patients who were prescribed or currently taking
Tamoxifen or Aromatase Inhibitor therapy during the measurement period before or during their last qualifying
visit during the measurement period
Measure #72 (NQF 0385) HITECH: Colon Cancer: Chemotherapy for Stage III Colon Cancer Patients
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to include patients who currently have or had a diagnosis of
colon cancer stage III during the measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
• Updated Clinical Recommendation Statements
Measure #102 (NQF 0389) HITECH: Prostate Cancer: Avoidance of Overuse of Bone Scan for Staging LowRisk Prostate Cancer Patients
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of prostate cancer before or during
the measurement period
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #110 (NQF 0041) HITECH ALT CORE: Preventive Care and Screening: Influenza Immunization
• Updated Description to identify flu season as October 1 through March 31
• Updated Denominator Statement to require a visit between October 1 through March 31
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to identify flu season as October through March
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Statement to identify flu season as October 1 through March 31
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to identify flu season as October through March
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to include note regarding previous receipt of influenza
immunization
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #111 (NQF 0043) HITECH: Preventive Care and Screening: Pneumonia Vaccination for Patients 65
Years and Older
• Clarified Numerator Inclusions instructions
Measure #112 (NQF 0031) HITECH: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening Mammography
• Clarified Denominator Inclusions instructions
Measure #113 (NQF 0034) HITECH: Preventive Care and Screening: Colorectal Cancer Screening
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #117 (NQF 0055) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: Dilated Eye Exam in Diabetic Patient
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated medication-only Denominator option to require an encounter
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #119 (NQF 0062) HITECH: Diabetes: Urine Screening
• Updated Title
• Updated Description
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated medication-only Denominator option to require an encounter
• Updated Numerator Statement to include evidence of nephropathy
• Updated Numerator Statement to “screening test or evidence of nephropathy during the measurement year”
from “during at least one office visit within 12 months”
• Updated Denominator Exclusions instructions to include evidence of nephropathy
• Updated Rationale
• Updated Clinical Recommendation Statements
Measure #128 (NQF 0421) HITECH CORE: Preventive Care and Screening: Body Mass Index (BMI)
Screening and Follow-Up
• Added additional data element Follow-up Plan BMI Management to Denominator Inclusions
• Updated Note in low BMI Numerator option to remove weight loss surgery
• Updated Denominator Exclusions instructions to include “within the past 6 months or during the current visit”
• Updated Rationale

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #163 (0056) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: Foot Exam
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated medication-only Denominator option to require an encounter
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
• Added Denominator Exclusions of bilateral foot/leg amputation identified by data element Absence of Leg/Foot
Measure #173: Preventive Care and Screening: Unhealthy Alcohol Use-Screening
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #197 (NQF 0074) HITECH: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Lipid Control
• Updated Title
• Updated Description
• Updated Denominator Statement
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of CAD during the measurement
period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Statement
• Added the following data elements to the Numerator Inclusions: LDL Laboratory Test with Documentation of
LDL < 100 mg/dL, LDL Laboratory Test with Documentation of LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL and Plan of Care to Lower
LDL
• Removed non-statin medications from measure
• Removed the following Denominator Exclusions data element: LDL Laboratory Test with Documentation of
LDL< 130 mg/dL
• Updated Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #200 (NQF 0084) HITECH: Heart Failure: Warfarin Therapy for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of heart failure during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Added Denominator Exclusions for patients being treated with dabigatran
• Updated Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #201 (NQF 0073) HITECH: Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD): Blood Pressure Management Control
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of IVD during the measurement
period
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require a qualifying visit with PTCA
• Updated PTCA-only Denominator Inclusion to require an encounter
Measure #204 (NQF 0068) HITECH: Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD): Use of Aspirin or Another
Antithrombotic
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of IVD during the measurement
period
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require a qualifying visit with PTCA
• Updated PTCA-only Denominator Inclusion to require an encounter

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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #226 (NQF 0028) HITECH CORE: Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and
Cessation Intervention
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to include 24 months prior to last qualifying visit during the
measurement period
Measure #236 (NQF 0018) HITECH: Hypertension (HTN): Controlling High Blood Pressure
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of hypertension
• Updated the AND NOT Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of end stage renal
disease
Measure #237 (NQF 0013) HITECH CORE: Hypertension (HTN): Blood Pressure Measurement
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of hypertension
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
Measure #238 (NQF 0022) HITECH: Drugs to be Avoided in the Elderly
• Added note to Numerator Inclusions to indicate measure is an inverse measure
Measure #239 (NQF 0024) HITECH ALT CORE: Weight Assessment and Counseling for Children and
Adolescents
• NO CHANGES
Measure #240 (NQF 0038) HITECH ALT CORE: Childhood Immunization Status
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to indicate patients are 1 year of age at the beginning of the
measurement period
• Removed Numerator Inclusions instructions “Evidence of the antigen or vaccine must be found” from Criterion
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i and j
• Updated Numerator Exclusions criteria instructions to indicate patients may be exempt if vaccination series
are identified prior to their second birthday
• Updated Numerator Exclusions criteria instructions to require patient allergies be identified prior to patient’s
second birthday
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to clarify that vaccinations given in a series be received on
separate dates of service
• Updated Numerator Exclusions (Criterion b) medications instructions to include neomycin, streptomycin and
polymyxin
Measure #241 (NQF 0075) HITECH: Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD): Complete Lipid Panel and Low
Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) Control
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of IVD during the measurement
period
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require a qualifying visit with PTCA
• Updated PTCA-only Denominator Inclusion to require an encounter
• Removed the following data elements from Numerator 1 inclusions: High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Total
Cholesterol and Triglycerides
• Removed the following data elements from Numerator 2 inclusions: Total Cholesterol with Documentation of
Total Cholesterol in mg/d, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) with Documentation of HDL in mg/dL and
Triglycerides with Documentation of Triglycerides ≤ 400 mg/dL
Measure #305 (NQF 0004) HITECH: Initiation and Engagement of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence
Treatment (a) Initiation, (b) Engagement
• Updated Detoxification Interventions-only Denominator option to require an encounter
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2013 EHR Measure Specifications
Release Notes
Measure #306 (NQF 0012) HITECH: Prenatal Care: Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Clarified Denominator Inclusions instructions
• Updated Numerator Inclusions instructions to clarify HIV screening required during or within 30 days of either
their first or second prenatal visit
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #307 (NQF 0014) HITECH: Prenatal Care: Anti-D Immune Globulin
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #308 (NQF 0027) HITECH: Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation, Medical Assistance: a. Advising
Smokers and Tobacco Users to Quit, b. Discussing Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Medications, c.
Discussing Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Strategies
• NO CHANGES
Measure #309 (NQF 0032) HITECH: Cervical Cancer Screening
• NO CHANGES
Measure #310 (NQF 0033) HITECH: Chlamydia Screening for Women
• Added the following data element to Denominator Inclusions: Contraceptive Use
• Clarified Denominator Inclusions instructions
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #311 (NQF 0036) HITECH: Use of Appropriate Medications for Asthma
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of persistent during the
measurement period
• Removed leukotriene inhibitors from denominator option three in all population stratifications
• Added requirement of one encounter to denominator option three
• Added requirement of one encounter to denominator option four
• Removed methylxanthines from entire measure
Measure #312 (NQF 0052) HITECH: Low Back Pain: Use of Imaging Studies
• NO CHANGES
Measure #313 (NQF 0575) HITECH: Diabetes Mellitus: Hemoglobin A1c Control (<8%)
• Updated Denominator Inclusions instructions to require an active diagnosis of diabetes during the
measurement period
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional
• Updated medication-only Denominator option to require an encounter
• Clarified Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #316: Preventive Care and Screening: Cholesterol – Fasting Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Test
Performed AND Risk-Stratified Fasting LDL
• Added Denominator Exclusions instructions
Measure #317: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for High Blood Pressure
• Added requirement that the two face-to-face visits must be with the same eligible professional

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