IA Measures
For 2019, CMS has modified the list of approved improvement activities – removing some from the 2018 list and adding a few more, totaling the total number of improvement activities to 118 from 112 in 2018.
These improvement activities are also divided into sub-categories as in 2018 and carry two weightages – medium and high.
IA_AHE_1 Engagement of New Medicaid Patients and Follow-up
Description :
Seeing new and follow-up Medicaid patients in a timely manner, including individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. A timely manner is defined as within 10 business days for this activity.Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
High
IA_AHE_2 Leveraging a QCDR to standardize processes for screening
Description :
Participation in a QCDR, demonstrating performance of activities for use of standardized processes for screening for social determinants of health such as food security, employment and housing. Use of supporting tools that can be incorporated into the certified EHR technology is also suggested.Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
Medium
IA_AHE_3 Promote Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Tools
Description :
Demonstrate performance of activities for employing patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools and corresponding collection of PRO data such as the use of PQH-2 or PHQ-9, PROMIS instruments, patient reported Wound-Quality of Life (QoL), patient reported Wound Outcome, and patient reported Nutritional Screening.Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
High
IA_AHE_4 Leveraging a QCDR for use of standard questionnaires
Description :
Participation in a QCDR, demonstrating performance of activities for use of standard questionnaires for assessing improvements in health disparities related to functional health status (e.g., use of Seattle Angina Questionnaire, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, and/or SF-12/VR-12 functional health status assessment).Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
Medium
IA_AHE_5 MIPS Eligible Clinician Leadership in Clinical Trials or CBPR
Description :
MIPS eligible clinician leadership in clinical trials, research alliances or community-based participatory research (CBPR) that identify tools, research or processes that can focuses on minimizing disparities in healthcare access, care quality, affordability, or outcomes.Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
Medium
IA_AHE_6 Provide Education Opportunities for New Clinicians
Description :
MIPS eligible clinicians acting as a preceptor for clinicians-in-training (such as medical residents/fellows, medical students, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists) and accepting such clinicians for clinical rotations in community practices in small, underserved, or rural areas.Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
High
IA_AHE_7 Comprehensive Eye Exams
Description :
In order to receive credit for this activity, MIPS eligible clinicians must promote the importance of a comprehensive eye exam, which may be accomplished by providing literature and/or facilitating a conversation about this topic using resources such as the "Think About Your Eyes" campaign and/or referring patients to resources providing no-cost eye exams, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeCare America and the American Optometric Association's VISION USA. This activity is intended for:- Non-ophthalmologists / optometrists who refer patients to an ophthalmologist/optometrist;
- Ophthalmologists/optometrists caring for underserved patients at no cost; or
- Any clinician providing literature and/or resources on this topic. This activity must be targeted at underserved and/or high-risk populations that would benefit from engagement regarding their eye health with the aim of improving their access to comprehensive eye exams.
Subcategory Name :
Achieving Health EquityActivity Weighting :
Medium