Quality Improvement
The AANS and CNS are committed to quality improvement and supports innovative efforts to provide high quality, cost-effective care to patients. While Congress has taken the first steps towards implementing quality improvement programs, the current Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS — formerly PQRI) needs to be drastically reworked to better incorporate a system for clinical data collection and reporting. A "one-size-fits-all" approach will not result in better patient outcomes. The AANS and CNS support a pay-for-participation system under which data regarding physician quality are collected in a nonpunitive environment and analyzed using accurate risk‐adjustment mechanisms; public reporting of data only occurs at the aggregate level and not at the individual level; and physicians receive performance feedback continually and in a timely manner. Organized neurosurgery will continue to push the message that Congress should rescind the PQRS penalties, reconsider the value‐based payment modifier and streamline the federal quality improvement programs created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- American Spine Registry Comments on the Use of Registries in Innovative Payment Models 12.02.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Registry Coalition Supporting Cures 2.0 Act 12.02.21
- Summary of the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
- Neurosurgeons Urge MedPAC to Adopt Policies that Leverage Clinical Data Registries 11.11.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Coalition in Urging Improvements to Medicare Innovation Center 09.20.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Coalition Urging CMS to Delay AUC Program for Diagnostic Imaging 09.13.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Registry Coalition in Commenting on 2022 Proposed Quality Payment Program Rule 09.13.21
- Registry Coalition Makes Recommendations for 21st Century Cures 2.0 7.9.21
- AANS and CNS Join Alliance in Urging CMS to Improve Quality Payment Programs 06.08.21
- Neurosurgery Urges Improvements to APMs 05.25.21
- AANS and CNS Urge CMS to Release MIPS Benchmark Data 04.13.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Requesting Congressional Oversight of Medicare Quality Programs 03.30.21
- Neurosurgery Supports Legislation to Address Physician Burnout 03.25.21
- Neurosurgery Joins Effort Urging CMS to Improve Quality Payment Program 03.05.21
- Neurosurgery Urges CMS to Revisit Spine Quality Measures 03.01.21
- Neurosurgery Comments on AUC Program 11.27.20
- Neurosurgery Joins Coalition Letter to CMS re Data Validation for MIPS 11.10.20
- Neurosurgery Joins PCRC in Commenting on Medicare Quality Payment Program 10.05.20
- Neurosurgery Comments on Quality Provisions of Proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 09.29.20
- Neurosurgery Urges White House to Finalize Updated Stark/Anti-kickback Rules 8.5.20
- Neurosurgery Joins Clinical Registry Coalition in Recommendations for Cures 2.0 Legislation 06.23.20
- AANS and CNS Joint Registry Coalition Asking CMS to Delay Value Pathway Program 4.13.20
- AANS and CNS Urge CMS to Modify New Medicare Value Pathway Program 4.10.20
- AANS and CNS Request Delay in AUC Imaging Requirements 3.20.20
- Neurosurgery Comments on Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 3.18.20
- AANS and CNS Comment on Quality Measures 1.31.2020
- Neurosurgery Calls for Congress to Reauthorize PCORI-Senate 11.4.19
- Neurosurgery Calls for Congress to Reauthorize PCORI-House 11.4.19
- Neurosurgery Asks Congress for Positive Medicare Payment Updates 10.15.19
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments to CMS on the Quality-Related Provisions of the Proposed 2020 Medicare Fee Schedule 9.9.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding Interoperability Proposed Rule 6.3.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Sending Comments to ONC Regarding Information Blocking Proposed Rule 6.3.19
- Neurosurgery Joins PCRC in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding Interoperability Proposed Rule 6.3.19
- Neurosurgery Joins PCRC in Sending Comments to ONC Regarding Information Blocking Proposed Rule 6.3.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending a Letter to CMS in Support of a CMMI POH Demo 5.21.19
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Statement to the Senate Committee on Finance Regarding the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) 5.20.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Groups to Send Letter to the Senate Finance Committee in Support of PCORI Reauthorization 5.13.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Groups to Send Letters to House E&C and Ways and Means Committees in Support of PCORI Reauthorization 5.13.19
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending a Letter of Support to Sens. Portman and Bennet for S. 966, the Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act 04.02.19
- AANS Joins PCRC in Sending Letter to HHS in Response to RFI on Modifying HIPAA Rules to Improve Coordinated Care 02.12.19
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Letter to HHS Regarding ONC EHR Burden Reduction Strategy 1.28.19
- Joins PCRC in Sending Comments to HHS Regarding ONC EHR Burden Reduction Strategy 1.28.19
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments to HHS Regarding ONC EHR Burden Reduction Strategy 1.28.19
- AANS Joins PCRC in Sending Letter to CMS Regarding Qualified Clinical Data Registries and MIPS 12.6.18
- Neurosurgery Summary of the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule — Quality Provisions 11.22.18
- 2019 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Side-by-Side Comparison (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 11.18.18
- 2019 Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Side-by-Side Comparison (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 11.18.18
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments to HHS Regarding a Request for Information on the EHR Reporting Program 10.17.18
- AANS Joins PCRC in Response to ONC’s Request for Information Regarding EHR Reporting Program 10.17.18
- Neurosurgery and the Alliance Respond to CMS Proposals Aimed at Redesigning the Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs 10.16.18
- Congressional Letter to HHS Regarding EHR Interoperability and Data Blocking 10.2.18
- Neurosurgery Sends Letter to CMS Regarding Medicare OPPS ASC Proposed Rule 9.24.18
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Letter to CMS Regarding the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Proposed QPP Rule 9.10.18
- Neurosurgery Comments on the Proposed 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 9.10.18
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Groups to Send a Letter to Congress Regarding Appropriate Use Criteria 9.7.18
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Response to CMS’ Request for Information Regarding the Physician Self-Referral Law 8.24.18
- Neurosurgery’s Preliminary Summary of Quality Provisions in the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule 8.9.18
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending A Letter to CMS Regarding the 2018 MIPS Quality Reporting Period 4.16.18
- Alliance Statement to the House Ways and Means Committee Regarding Implementation of MACRA’s Physician Payment Policies 3.21.18
- AANS Joins PCRC in Sending Letter to HHS Regarding Information Blocking by Electronic Health Record Vendors 2.8.18
- Neurosurgery Joins PCRC in Sending a Letter to CMS Regarding CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 1.1.18
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Letter to MedPAC Regarding MIPS Recommendation 1.9.18
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS regarding the CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 1.2.18
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments to CMS regarding the CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 1.1.18
- AANS Joins Other Groups in Sending a Letter to MedPAC Regarding Registries and the Quality Payment Program 12.2.17
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments to CMS Regarding Innovation Center New Direction RFI 11.20.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding New Direction for the Innovation Center 11.20.17
- Neurosurgery Joins AIM Coalition in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding Innovation Center New Direction RFI 11.20.17
- 2018 Quality Payment Program Final and Proposed Rule Side-by-Side Comparison (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 11.1.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Supporting S. 2051, “The Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2017” 11.1.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Supporting H.R. 4206, “The Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2017” 11.1.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Letter to MedPac Regarding MIPS 10.24.17
- Neurosurgery Sends Letter to CMS Regarding Cancellation of Bundled Payment Program 10.16.17
- 2018 Physician Fee Schedule Final and Proposed Rule Side-by-side Comparison (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 10.15.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Letter to Congressional Leaders Regarding MACRA 10.4.17
- Neurosurgery Joins AMA in Sending a Letter to Congress Urging for Legislation to Ensure CMS has Flexibility on the Implementation of QPP 10.2.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Organizations in Sending a Letter to CMS and FDA Regarding UDI Recommendations 9.28.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Comments on the Proposed 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 9.11.17
- Neurosurgery Comments on the Proposed 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 9.11.17
- Neurosurgery Sends Comments on Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Imaging to the House Ways and Means Committee for its Medicare Red Tape Relief Project 8.25.17
- Neurosurgery Sends MACRA Improvement Comments to the House Ways and Means Committee for its Medicare Red Tape Relief Project 8.25.17
- MIPS Exemption and Special Status Resource Guide (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 8.24.17
- Neurosurgery Joins PCRC in Sending Letter to CMS Regarding 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 8.21.17
- AANS and CNS Send Letter to CMS Regarding 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 8.21.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program 8.21.17
- A Summary of the CMS Calendar Year 2018 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 7.24.2017
- Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Update 7.17.2017
- PCRC Sends Letter to CMS Regarding QCDR Measure Review and Self-Nomination Process 7.11.17
- Summary of the CY 2018 Proposed Updates to the Quality Payment Program (prepared by Hart Health Strategies) 7.9.17
- Neurosurgery and Other Medical Groups Send Letter to HHS Sec. Tom Price Regarding ACI Registry 6.15.17
- Neurosurgery and Other Medical Groups Send Letter to Congress Urging for Passage of the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act 5.16.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance to Send Letter to Reps. Roe and Blackburn in Support of H.R. 1766, the Medical Practice Freedom Act 5.4.17
- Neurosurgery Joins AMA in Sending Letter to CMS Regarding PQRS, MU and VBM 3.21.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending a Letter on Regulatory Relief to Secretary Price 3.20.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the American Medical Association In Sending a Letter to CMS Requesting 2015 Edition CEHRT Delay 2.27.17
- Neurosurgery Joins the Healthcare Leaders for Accountable Innovation in Medicare in Sending HHS Secretary Price, Congress Principles to Improve CMMI 2.13.17
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) 12.19.16
- AANS and CNS Send Comments to CMS Regarding Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) 12.19.16
- PCRC Letter to Senate Leadership Supporting 21st Century Cures 12.01.16
- PCRC Letter to House Leadership Supporting 21st Century Cures 11.30.16
- PCRC Letter to CMS Regarding QCDR Quality Measure Consolidation 10.29.16
- Members of the Republican Doctors Caucus Send Letter to CMS and OMB Regarding MACRA 10.6.16
- The Honorable Rand Paul Sends Letter to CMS regarding MACRA 9.30.16
- AANS and CNS Submit Comments to CMS Regarding Payment Provisions in the Proposed MPFS Rule 9.5.16
- AANS and CNS Submit Comments to CMS Regarding Quality Provisions in the Proposed OPPS Rule 9.5.16
- PCRC Letter to CMS Regarding Qualified Entity Final Rule 8.31.16
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending a Letter to the VA Opposing APRN Proposed Rule 07.22.16
- Neurosurgery Joins AMA in Sending Letter to the VHA Regarding Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Proposed Rule 7.22.16
- Neurosurgery Joins Other Medical Groups in Sending a Letter to the VA on its Proposed Rule to Expand the Role of APRNs 7.20.16
- Alliance of Specialty Medicine Comment Letter 06.27.16
- Council of Medical Specialty Societies Comment Letter 06.27.16
- Physician Clinical Registry Coalition Letter 06.27.16
- AMA-Led Coalition MACRA Comment Letter 06.24.16
- Neurosurgery Joins other Multispecialty Groups in Sending a Letter to ONC on Assessing Interoperability for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) 6.3.16
- Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier: What Neurosurgeons Need to Know 05.18.16
- PQRS 2016 What Neurosurgeons Need to Know 05.15.16
- Neurosurgery Joins the Alliance in Sending a Statement on MACRA Implementation the Energy and Commerce House Committee 4.19.16
- Neurosurgery Joins AMA in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding MACRA Implementation 4.18.16
- AANS and CNS Comments on CMS Quality Measure Development Plan 2.29.16
- AANS/CNS Summary of 2016 Medicare Payment Schedules 2.15.16
- AMA Hardship Exemption Fact Sheet 2.15.16
- AANS Joins the Alliance to Submit Comment Letter on Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects 1.16.16
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Support of HR 3940, the "Meaningful Use Hardship Relief Act" 12.4.15
- AANS and CNS Join AMA in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding MACRA RFI 11.17.15
- Neurosurgery Joins Alliance in Sending Comments to CMS Regarding MACRA RFI 11.17.15
- Neurosurgeons Provide Feedback in Response CMS’ RFI on MACRA 11.17.15
- Neurosurgery Endorses the "Meaningful Use Hardship Relief Act 11.9.15
- Neurosurgery and 110 Other Groups Urge House to Refocus Meaningful Use on Achieving Interoperability 11.2.15
- Neurosurgery and 110 Other Groups Urge Senate to Refocus Meaningful Use on Achieving Interoperability 11.2.15
- Summary of 2015-2017 Meaningful Use (MU) Final Rule 10.19.15
- Meaningful Use (MU) Stage 3 and 2015 Certification Rules 10.19.15
- Summary of Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program: Stage 3 and Modifications to Meaningful Use (MU) in 2015 and 2017 10.19.15
- AANS and CNS Letter Supporting Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act 10.15.15
- Neurosurgery's 2015 Legislative Agenda
- PQRS 2015 What Neurosurgeons Need to Know 3.31.15
- AANS and CNS Send Letter to NQF Expressing Concerns with the NQF Measure Endorsement Process 12.5.14
- Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier: What Neurosurgeons Need to Know for 2015 11.30.14
- 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Side-by-Side 11.25.14
- Overview of the 2013 Quality and Resource Use Reports 10.30.14
- PQRS 2014: What Neurosurgeons Need to Know 9.29.14
- Members of Congress Send Letter to CMS Regarding Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) 9.26.14
- Neurosurgery Submits Comments to CMS Regarding the Quality-related Provisions of the Proposed 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule 8.26.14
- AANS/CNS Submit Comments to the Senate Finance Committee on Enhancing the Availability and Utility of Healthcare Data 8.8.14
- Neurosurgery Submits Comments to CMS on Proposed Modifications to the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program 7.21.14
- AANS and CNS Unveil 2014 Legislative Agenda 3.18.14
- Neurosurgery Joins the AMA in Sending Letter to HHS Detailing Concerns with the Meaningful Use Program 2.21.14
- Surgery & Public Reporting: Recommendations for Issuing Public Reports on Surgical Care 2.4.14
- AANS/CNS Comment on Release of Medicare Physician Data 9.5.13
- AANS/CNS Comments on Clinical Data Registry Provisions of Proposed 2014 Medicare Fee Schedule 9.4.13
- AANS/CNS Comments on Quality-Related Provisions of Proposed 2014 Medicare Fee Schedule 9.3.13
- PQRS In a Nutshell
- AANS/CNS Comment on EHR Interoperability and Health Information Exchange
- AANS-CNS Response To CMS' Request For Information On Registry Reporting And Aligning Quality Programs
- AANS/CNS Send Letter of Support to Rep. Black for the Electronic Health Records Improvements Act
- Neurosurgery Responds to HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP) Consent Recommendations
- Letter to Senator Murkowski discussing the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act
- AANS/CNS 2013 Legislative Agenda
- Neurosurgery Response to HITPC RFI on Stage 3 Meaningful Use EHR Incentive Program
- A letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Request For Information Regarding Health Care Quality for Exchanges [CMS-9962-NC]
- AANS/CNS EHR Improvement Act Support Letter
- A letter commenting on the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Reform
- A letter commenting on the Seniors' Choice Act
- A letter commenting on the proposed Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Stage 2 program
- A letter to urge CMS to re-evaluate the penalty timelines and urge CMS to use its discretionary authority provided by Congress under these programs to develop solutions
- AANS/CNS Comments to the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Regarding its Research Agenda and Priorities
- Alliance of Specialty Medicine Submits Testimony to Congress on Quality Programs
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AANS-CNS
Urge Medicare to Fix Accuracy of Physician Compare
Summary of 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- Multi-society Letter to DEA Regarding Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances
- Joint Surgical Society Letter to HHS Regarding Medicare and Medicaid Programs-Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
- Alliance of Specialty Medicine Letter to HHS Regarding Medicare and Medicaid Programs-Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
- Alliance Letter to Senate Urging Passage of S720 Patient Safety Legislation
- Coalition Letter to Senate Urging Passage of S720 Patient Safety Legislation 3/10/04
- Coalition Letter to Senate Urging Passage of S720 Patient Safety Legislation 6/18/04
- Coalition Letter to Senator Daschle Urging Passage of S720 Patient Safety Legislation
- Coalition Letter to Senator Frist Urging Passage of S720 Patient Safety Legislation
- Patient Safety Bill
- AANS-CNS Letter to Rep Greenwood Endorsing Trauma Legislation
The AANS and CNS actively participate in efforts to measurably improve patient safety and quality of care, including advocacy related to the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act. This law created a voluntary reporting program through which health care providers can share information relating to patient safety events with patient safety organizations (PSOs) on a confidential basis to improve patient safety.