APTA's Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry has been approved for the fourth year in a row by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a qualified clinical data registry, or QCDR. This designation means that participating physical therapists can submit Merit-based Incentive Payment System — MIPS — reporting data to CMS directly from the registry. QCDR approval recognizes APTA's demonstrated expertise in quality measure development.
The Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry supports 19 Quality Payment Program measures, 11 QCDR measures, and two electronic clinical quality measures. CMS requires that the electronic clinical quality measures must be reported using certified electronic health record technology, also known as CEHRT.
As of January 2019, PTs who provide services under Medicare Part B who meet qualifying criteria must participate in either MIPS or an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (Advanced APM). PTs who participate in the Registry can meet MIPS requirements in both the Quality and Improvement Activities categories. Submitting data via a QCDR also earns "bonus" points in the Promoting Interoperability category, which is not yet required for PTs.
Whether or not PTs participate in MIPS, according to Heather Smith, PT, MPH, APTA's director of quality, APTA’s registry is a valuable tool for optimizing patient outcomes.
"Participants have found that registry data has opened their eyes to areas for improvement, and even informed changes to the way they deliver care," Smith said. "Registry analytics allow therapists to objectively understand how their practice patterns and interventions are impacting patient outcomes."
Registry users can access nonproprietary outcomes measures supported by CMS, as well as specific measures shared from other QCDRs.
By directly integrating with EHRs, the registry enables PTs — whether or not they participate in MIPS — to leverage their existing EHR data to track and benchmark outcomes, apply dashboard insights to improve quality of care, and demonstrate the value of physical therapist services to payers and providers.