CMS: Physician Quality Reporting Initiative is Getting Easier

"The tool will calculate performance information for the group practice without the necessity for CMS to do this and then send the feedback," Kuchler says.

The CMS added: "Many physicians and physician groups are now using registry based reporting, which present fewer technical issues for physicians, and physician groups are now using registry based reporting, which present fewer technical issues for physicians and provides another option for feedback information."

In 2009, physicians could earn a PQRI incentive payment equal to 2% of their billed Medicare charges. In 2007, a much lower payout was reported, with $630 the average amount, according to the American Medical Association.

Robert Bennett, a spokesman for the MGMA, says he is pleased that the CMS has responded to its report, but he adds that there are still considerable delays in processing reports involving PQRI that must be addressed.