Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report
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| Measure Information | 2022 Performance Period | 2023 Performance Period | 2024 Performance Period | 2025 Performance Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report | Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report | Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report | Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report |
| CMS eCQM ID | CMS50v10 | CMS50v11 | CMS50v12 | CMS50v13 |
| CBE ID* | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| MIPS Quality ID | 374 | 374 | 374 | 374 |
| Measure Steward | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| Description |
Percentage of patients with referrals, regardless of age, for which the referring provider receives a report from the provider to whom the patient was referred |
Percentage of patients with referrals, regardless of age, for which the referring clinician receives a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
Percentage of patients with referrals, regardless of age, for which the referring clinician receives a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
Percentage of patients with referrals, regardless of age, for which the referring clinician receives a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
| Measure Scoring | Proportion measure | Proportion measure | Proportion measure | Proportion measure |
| Measure Type | Process | Process | Process | Process |
| Stratification | *See CMS50v10.html | *See CMS50v11.html |
None |
None |
| Risk Adjustment | *See CMS50v10.html | *See CMS50v11.html |
None |
None |
| Rationale | *See CMS50v10.html | *See CMS50v11.html |
Problems in the outpatient referral and consultation process have been documented, including lack of timeliness of information and inadequate provision of information between the specialist and the requesting physician (Gandhi et al., 2000; Forrest et al., 2000; Stille et al., 2005). In a study of physician satisfaction with the outpatient referral process, Gandhi et al. (2000) found that 68% of specialists reported receiving no information from the primary care provider prior to referral visits, and 25% of primary care providers had still not received any information from specialists 4 weeks after referral visits. In another study of 963 referrals (Forrest et al., 2000), pediatricians scheduled appointments with specialists for only 39% and sent patient information to the specialists for only 51% of referrals. In a 2006 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) found that care coordination programs improved quality of care for patients, reduced hospitalizations, and improved adherence to evidence-based care guidelines, especially among patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease. Associations with cost-savings were less clear; this was attributed to how well the intervention group was chosen and defined, as well as the intervention put in place. Additionally, cost-savings were usually calculated in the short-term, while some argue that the greatest cost-savings accrue over time (MedPAC, 2006). Improved mechanisms for information exchange could facilitate communication between providers, whether for time-limited referrals or consultations, on-going co-management, or during care transitions. For example, a study by Branger, van’t Hooft, van der Wouden, Moorman & van Bemmel (1999) found that an electronic communication network that linked the computer-based patient records of physicians who had shared care of patients with diabetes significantly increased frequency of communications between physicians and availability of important clinical data. There was a 3-fold increase in the likelihood that the specialist provided written communication of results if the primary care physician scheduled appointments and sent patient information to the specialist (Forrest et al., 2000). Care coordination is a focal point in the current health care reform and our nation's ambulatory health information technology framework. The National Priorities Partnership (2008) recently highlighted care coordination as one of the most critical areas for development of quality measurement and improvement. |
Problems in the outpatient referral and consultation process have been documented, including inadequate care pathways between specialty and primary care. Studies suggest that both specialists and primary care providers (PCPs) are not satisfied with current processes (Institute for Healthcare Improvement / National Patient Safety Foundation, 2017; Greenwood-Lee et. al, 2018). Breakdowns in referral communication leads to worse health outcomes, increased cost, and appointment delays (Patel et. al, 2018; Odisho et. al, 2020). A 2018 analysis of primary care referrals to specialists found that of the 103,737 referral scheduling attempts analyzed, only 36,072 (34.8%) resulted in documented complete appointments, defined by the specialty clinician providing report to the PCP after the referral visit (Patel et. al, 2018). Technological and process-based updates can improve the referral loop process and increase rates of closing the referral loop. Ramelson et. al (2018) enhanced an EHR's Referral Manager module to meet the Controlled Risk Insurance Company’s best practice steps and the requirements of both the CMS EHR Incentive Program and the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home program. Following the updates, 76.8% of referrals were completed and all defined referral process steps were easier to accomplish. Odisho et. al (2020) developed a referrals automation software to simplify the fax to referral process. Feedback from key stakeholder interviews noted that the software enhanced the referrals process by further streamlining and organizing the patient referral process. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the National Patient Safety Foundation (2017) reviewed the referrals process in the ambulatory care setting and found that organizational leaders, EHR vendors, regulatory agencies, clinicians, and patients all play a role in creating a referrals system that is effective, safe, convenient, and patient-centered. |
| Clinical Recommendation Statement | *See CMS50v10.html | *See CMS50v11.html |
None |
None |
| Improvement Notation |
A higher score indicates better quality |
A higher score indicates better quality |
A higher score indicates better quality |
A higher score indicates better quality |
| Definition | *See CMS50v10.html | *See CMS50v11.html |
Referral: A request from one clinician to another clinician for evaluation, treatment, or co-management of a patient's condition. This term encompasses referral and consultation as defined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Report: A written document prepared by the eligible clinician (and staff) to whom the patient was referred and that accounts for his or her findings, provides summary of care information about findings, diagnostics, assessments and/or plans of care, and is provided to the referring eligible clinician. |
Referral: A request from one clinician to another clinician for evaluation, treatment, or co-management of a patient's condition. This term encompasses referral and consultation as defined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Report: A written document prepared by the eligible clinician (and staff) to whom the patient was referred and that accounts for his or her findings, provides summary of care information about findings, diagnostics, assessments and/or plans of care, and is provided to the referring eligible clinician. |
| Guidance |
The provider who refers the patient to another provider is the provider who should be held accountable for the performance of this measure. The provider to whom the patient was referred should be the same provider that sends the report. If there are multiple referrals for a patient during the measurement period, use the first referral. The provider to whom the patient was referred is responsible for sending the consultant report that will fulfill the communication. Note: this is not the same provider who would report on the measure. The consultant report that will successfully close the referral loop should be related to the first referral for a patient during the measurement period. If there are multiple consultant reports received by the referring provider which pertain to a particular referral, use the first consultant report to satisfy the measure. Eligible professionals or eligible clinicians reporting on this measure should note that all data for the reporting year is to be submitted by the deadline established by CMS. Therefore, eligible professionals or eligible clinicians who refer patients towards the end of the reporting period (i.e., November - December), should request that providers to whom they referred their patients share their consult reports as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator during the measurement period. When providers to whom patients are referred communicate the consult report as soon as possible with the referring providers, it ensures that the communication loop is closed in a timely manner and that the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.5. Please refer to the eCQI resource center for more information on the QDM. |
The clinician who refers the patient to another clinician is the clinician who should be held accountable for the performance of this measure. Only the first referral made between January 1 – October 31 of the measurement period will be considered for this measure to allow adequate time for the referring clinician to collect the consult report by the end of the measurement period. If there are multiple referrals for a patient during the measurement period, use the first referral. The clinician to whom the patient was referred is responsible for sending the consultant report that will fulfill the communication. Note: this is not the same clinician who would report on the measure. The consultant report that will successfully close the referral loop should be related to the first referral for a patient during the measurement period. If there are multiple consultant reports received by the referring clinician which pertain to a particular referral, use the first consultant report to satisfy the measure. Eligible clinicians reporting on this measure should note that all data for the performance period is to be submitted by the deadline established by CMS. Therefore, eligible clinicians who refer patients towards the end of the performance period (i.e., October), should request that clinicians to whom they referred their patients share their consult reports as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator during the measurement period. When clinicians to whom patients are referred communicate the consult report as soon as possible with the referring clinician, it ensures that the communication loop is closed in a timely manner and that the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
The clinician who refers the patient to another clinician is the clinician who should be held accountable for the performance of this measure. Only the first referral made between January 1 – October 31 of the measurement period will be considered for this measure to allow adequate time for the referring clinician to collect the consult report by the end of the measurement period. If there are multiple referrals for a patient during the measurement period, use the first referral. The clinician to whom the patient was referred is responsible for sending the consultant report that will fulfill the communication. Note: this is not the same clinician who would report on the measure. The consultant report that will successfully close the referral loop should be related to the first referral for a patient during the measurement period. If there are multiple consultant reports received by the referring clinician which pertain to a particular referral, use the first consultant report to satisfy the measure. Eligible clinicians reporting on this measure should note that all data for the performance period is to be submitted by the deadline established by CMS. Therefore, eligible clinicians who refer patients towards the end of the performance period (i.e., October), should request that clinicians to whom they referred their patients share their consult reports as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator during the measurement period. When clinicians to whom patients are referred communicate the consult report as soon as possible with the referring clinician, it ensures that the communication loop is closed in a timely manner and that the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
The clinician who refers the patient to another clinician is the clinician who should be held accountable for the performance of this measure. Only the first referral made between January 1 – October 31 of the measurement period will be considered for this measure to allow adequate time for the referring clinician to collect the consult report by the end of the measurement period. If there are multiple referrals for a patient during the measurement period, use the first referral. The clinician to whom the patient was referred is responsible for sending the consultant report that will fulfill the communication. Note: this is not the same clinician who would report on the measure. The consultant report that will successfully close the referral loop should be related to the first referral for a patient during the measurement period. If there are multiple consultant reports received by the referring clinician which pertain to a particular referral, use the first consultant report to satisfy the measure. Eligible clinicians reporting on this measure should note that all data for the measurement period is to be submitted by the deadline established by CMS. Therefore, eligible clinicians who refer patients towards the end of the measurement period (i.e., October), should request that clinicians to whom they referred their patients share their consult reports as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator during the measurement period. When clinicians to whom patients are referred communicate the consult report as soon as possible with the referring clinician, it ensures that the communication loop is closed in a timely manner and that the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
| Initial Population |
Number of patients, regardless of age, who had a visit during the measurement period and were referred by one provider to another provider |
Number of patients, regardless of age, who had an encounter during the measurement period and were referred by one clinician to another clinician on or before October 31 |
Number of patients, regardless of age, who had an encounter during the measurement period and were referred by one clinician to another clinician on or before October 31 |
Number of patients, regardless of age, who had an encounter during the measurement period and were referred by one clinician to another clinician on or before October 31 |
| Denominator |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
| Denominator Exclusions |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Numerator |
Number of patients with a referral, for which the referring provider received a report from the provider to whom the patient was referred |
Number of patients with a referral on or before October 31, for which the referring clinician received a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
Number of patients with a referral on or before October 31, for which the referring clinician received a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
Number of patients with a referral on or before October 31, for which the referring clinician received a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
| Numerator Exclusions |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
| Denominator Exceptions |
None |
None |
None |
None |
| Telehealth Eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Next Version | No Version Available | |||
| Previous Version | No Version Available |
Additional Resources for CMS50v10
Header
Updated the eCQM version number.
Measure Section: eCQM Version Number
Source of Change: Annual Update
Updated Measure Developer.
Measure Section: Measure Developer
Source of Change: Measure Lead
Updated copyright.
Measure Section: Copyright
Source of Change: Annual Update
Updated disclaimer.
Measure Section: Disclaimer
Source of Change: Annual Update
Modified the Stille reference in the rationale to align with APA in-text citation guidelines.
Measure Section: Rationale
Source of Change: Measure Lead
Revised the guidance to aid implementation by clarifying who is responsible for reporting the measure and the clinical actions required.
Measure Section: Guidance
Source of Change: ONC Project Tracking System (Jira): CQM-4138
Revised initial population statement language to promote readability.
Measure Section: Initial Population
Source of Change: Annual Update
Removed extraneous comma in Supplemental Data Elements field.
Measure Section: Supplemental Data Elements
Source of Change: Annual Update
Logic
Added a return clause to the 'Intervention, Performed': 'Referral' portion of the First Referral during Measurement Period definition to enable passing of consistent information to identify the first referral.
Measure Section: Definitions
Source of Change: Annual Update
Updated the attributes identified with the first referral in the Referring Provider Receives Consultant Report to Close Referral Loop definition to align with those described in the First Referral during Measurement Period definition.
Measure Section: Definitions
Source of Change: Annual Update
Updated the names of Clinical Quality Language (CQL) definitions, functions, and/or aliases for clarification and to align with the CQL Style Guide.
Measure Section: Multiple Sections
Source of Change: Standards Update
Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library (MATGlobalCommonFunctions-6.2.000). Updated the 'Inpatient Encounter' definition to include a 'day of' timing clarification. Added the following timing functions: Normalize Interval, Has Start, Has End, Latest, Latest Of, Earliest, and Earliest Of. Please see individual measure details for application of specific timing functions.
Measure Section: Multiple Sections
Source of Change: Standards Update
Added new NormalizeInterval function to timing attributes to decrease implementation burden due to variable use of timing attributes for select QDM data types. The NormalizeInterval function was applied, where applicable, for the following data elements: Assessment, Performed; Device, Applied; Diagnostic Study, Performed; Intervention, Performed; Laboratory Test, Performed; Medication, Administered; Medication, Dispensed; Physical Exam, Performed; Procedure, Performed; Substance, Administered.
Measure Section: Multiple Sections
Source of Change: Standards Update
Value Set
The VSAC is the source of truth for the value set content, please visit the VSAC for downloads of current value sets.
Value set Consultant Report (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.121.12.1006): Added 14 LOINC codes based on terminology update.
Measure Section: Terminology
Source of Change: Annual Update