Updated eCQM Specifications and eCQM Materials for 2020 Reporting Now Available

The Centers for Medicare & 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. CMS updates the specifications annually to align with current clinical guidelines and code systems so they remain relevant and actionable within the clinical care setting. 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 (IQR) Program
• The Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs
• Quality Payment Program: The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (Advanced APMs)
• Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+)

Where to Find the Updated eCQM Specifications and Materials

The updated eCQM specifications are available on the Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement (eCQI) Resource Center for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitalsand 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 end user feedback and CMS continues to update these guides to assist stakeholders in understanding and implementing eCQMs. 

Where to Find the 2020 eCQM Value Sets, Direct Reference Codes, and Terminology

The 2020 reporting/performance period eCQM value sets are available through the National Library of Medicine’s Value Set Authority Center (VSAC). Sign up for a Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) account to access the value sets. The value sets are available as a complete set, as well as value sets per eCQM. The direct reference codes specified within the eCQM HQMF files are also available in a separate file for download on the VSAC Downloadable Resources page.

Provide Feedback on the Updated eCQMs

To report questions and comments regarding the updated eCQMs, visit the eCQM Issue Tracker. To submit technical questions and issues related to the development and implementation of the CQL standard, visit the CQL Issue Tracker. Note that an ONC Project Tracking System (JIRA) account is required to ask a question or comment.

For More Information

To find out more about eCQMs, visit the eCQI Resource Center. 

Pre-Rulemaking information for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals – We have added a new page on the eCQI Resource Center that includes information about measures under consideration that have not been finalized for use in a CMS program.