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Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention

Compare Versions of: "Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention"

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Measure Information 2022 Performance Period 2023 Performance Period 2024 Performance Period
Title Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention
CMS eCQM ID CMS138v10 CMS138v11 CMS138v12
CBE ID 0028e 0028e Not Applicable
MIPS Quality ID 226 226 226
Description

Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention if identified as a tobacco user

Three rates are reported:

a. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period

b. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were identified as a tobacco user who received tobacco cessation intervention

c. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention if identified as a tobacco user

Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user.

Three rates are reported:

a. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period

b. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were identified as a tobacco user during the measurement period who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period

c. Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user

Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user.

Three rates are reported:

a. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period

b. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were identified as a tobacco user during the measurement period who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period

c. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user

Definition *See CMS138v10.html *See CMS138v11.html

Tobacco Use - Use of any tobacco product

The 2021 USPSTF recommendation references the US Food and Drug Administration definition of tobacco which includes "any product made or derived from tobacco intended for human consumption (except products that meet the definition of drugs), including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars (including cigarillos and little cigars), dissolvables, hookah tobacco, nicotine gels, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, smokeless tobacco products (including dip, snuff, snus, and chewing tobacco), vapes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), hookah pens, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems."

The 2021 USPSTF recommendation describes smoking as generally referring to "the inhaling and exhaling of smoke produced by combustible tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes."

The 2021 USPSTF recommendation describes vaping as "the inhaling and exhaling of aerosols produced by e-cigarettes." In addition, it states, "vaping products (i.e., e-cigarettes) usually contain nicotine, which is the addictive ingredient in tobacco. Substances other than tobacco can also be used to smoke or vape. While the 2015 USPSTF recommendation statement used the term 'electronic nicotine delivery systems' or 'ENDS,' the USPSTF recognizes that the field has shifted to using the term 'e-cigarettes' (or 'e-cigs') and uses the term e-cigarettes in the current recommendation statement. e-Cigarettes can come in many shapes and sizes, but generally they heat a liquid that contains nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco) to produce an aerosol (or 'vapor') that is inhaled ('vaped') by users."

Tobacco Cessation Intervention - Includes brief counseling (3 minutes or less), and/or pharmacotherapy

 

Note: Concepts aligned with brief counseling (e.g., minimal and intensive advice/counseling interventions conducted both in person and over the phone) are included in the value set for the numerator. Other concepts such as written self-help materials (e.g., brochures, pamphlets) and complementary/alternative therapies are not included in the value set and do not qualify for the numerator. Counseling also may be of longer duration or be performed more frequently, as evidence shows that higher-intensity interventions are associated with higher tobacco cessation rates (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).

Initial Population

All patients aged 18 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least one preventive visit during the measurement period

All patients aged 18 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least one preventive visit during the measurement period

All patients aged 12 years and older seen for at least two visits or at least one preventive visit during the measurement period

Numerator

Population 1:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period

 

Population 2:

Patients who received tobacco cessation intervention

Population 3:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention if identified as a tobacco user

Population 1:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period

 

Population 2:

Patients who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period

Population 3:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user

Population 1:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period

 

Population 2:

Patients who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period

Population 3:

Patients who were screened for tobacco use at least once during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user

Numerator Exclusions

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Denominator

Population 1:

Equals Initial Population

Population 2:

Equals Initial Population who were screened for tobacco use and identified as a tobacco user

Population 3:

Equals Initial Population

Population 1:

Equals Initial Population

Population 2:

Equals Initial Population who were screened for tobacco use during the measurement period and identified as a tobacco user

Population 3:

Equals Initial Population

Population 1:

Equals Initial Population

Population 2:

Equals Initial Population who were screened for tobacco use during the measurement period and identified as a tobacco user

Population 3:

Equals Initial Population

Denominator Exclusions

None

Exclude patients who are in hospice care for any part of the measurement period

Exclude patients who are in hospice care for any part of the measurement period

Denominator Exceptions

Population 1:

Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for tobacco use (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)

 

Population 2:

Documentation of medical reason(s) for not providing tobacco cessation intervention (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)

Population 3:

Documentation of medical reason(s) for not screening for tobacco use OR for not providing tobacco cessation intervention for patients identified as tobacco users (e.g., limited life expectancy, other medical reason)

None

None

Measure Steward National Committee for Quality Assurance National Committee for Quality Assurance National Committee for Quality Assurance
Measure Scoring Proportion measure Proportion measure Proportion measure
Measure Type Process measure Process measure Process measure
Improvement Notation

Higher score indicates better quality

Higher score indicates better quality

Higher score indicates better quality

Guidance

The requirement of two or more visits is to establish that the eligible professional or eligible clinician has an existing relationship with the patient for certain types of encounters.

To satisfy the intent of this measure, a patient must have at least one tobacco use screening during the measurement period. If a patient has multiple tobacco use screenings during the measurement period, only the most recent screening, which has a documented status of tobacco user or tobacco non-user, will be used to satisfy the measure requirements.

If a patient uses any type of tobacco (i.e., smokes or uses smokeless tobacco), the expectation is that they should receive tobacco cessation intervention: either counseling and/or pharmacotherapy.

As noted above in a recommendation statement from the USPSTF, the current evidence is insufficient to recommend electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) including electronic cigarettes for tobacco cessation. Additionally, ENDS are not currently classified as tobacco in the recent evidence review to support the update of the USPSTF recommendation given that the devices do not burn or use tobacco leaves. In light of the current lack of evidence, the measure does not currently capture e-cigarette usage as either tobacco use or a cessation aid.

If tobacco use status of a patient is unknown, the patient does not meet the screening component required to be counted in the numerator and should be considered a measure failure. Instances where tobacco use status of "unknown" is recorded include: 1) the patient was not screened; or 2) the patient was screened and the patient (or caregiver) was unable to provide a definitive answer. If the patient does not meet the screening component of the numerator but has an allowable medical exception, then the patient should be removed from the denominator of the measure and reported as a valid exception.

In order to promote a team-based approach to patient care, the tobacco cessation intervention can be performed by another healthcare provider; therefore, the tobacco use screening and tobacco cessation intervention do not need to be performed by the same provider or clinician.

The medical reason exception may be applied to either the screening data element OR to any of the applicable tobacco cessation intervention data elements (counseling and/or pharmacotherapy) included in the measure.

If a patient has a diagnosis of limited life expectancy, that patient has a valid denominator exception for not being screened for tobacco use or for not receiving tobacco use cessation intervention (counseling and/or pharmacotherapy) if identified as a tobacco user.

This measure contains three reporting rates which aim to identify patients who were screened for tobacco use (rate/population 1), patients who were identified as tobacco users and who received tobacco cessation intervention (rate/population 2), and a comprehensive look at the overall performance on tobacco screening and cessation intervention (rate/population 3). By separating this measure into various reporting rates, the eligible professional or eligible clinician will be able to better ascertain where gaps in performance exist, and identify opportunities for improvement. The overall rate (rate/population 3) can be utilized to compare performance to published versions of this measure prior to the 2018 performance year, when the measure had a single performance rate. For accountability reporting in the CMS MIPS program, the rate for population 2 is used for performance.

 

The denominator of population criteria 2 is a subset of the resulting numerator for population criteria 1, as population criteria 2 is limited to assessing if patients identified as tobacco users received an appropriate tobacco cessation intervention. For all patients, population criteria 1 and 3 are applicable, but population criteria 2 will only be applicable for those patients who are identified as tobacco users. Therefore, data for every patient that meets the initial population criteria will only be submitted for population 1 and 3, whereas data submitted for population 2 will be for a subset of patients who meet the initial population criteria, as the denominator has been further limited to those who were identified as tobacco users.

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 requirement of two or more visits is to establish that the eligible clinician has an existing relationship with the patient for certain types of encounters.

To satisfy the intent of this measure, a patient must have at least one tobacco use screening during the measurement period. If a patient has multiple tobacco use screenings during the measurement period, only the most recent screening, which has a documented status of tobacco user or tobacco non-user, will be used to satisfy the measure requirements.

If a patient uses any type of tobacco (i.e., smokes or uses smokeless tobacco), the expectation is that they should receive tobacco cessation intervention: either counseling and/or pharmacotherapy.

As noted above in the 2021 USPSTF recommendation statement, the current evidence is insufficient to recommend electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for tobacco cessation. However, as noted above in the Definition section, the 2021 USPSTF recommendation also references the US Food and Drug Administration definition of tobacco, which includes e-cigarettes, hookah pens and other electronic nicotine delivery systems. Therefore, the measure does consider the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems to be tobacco use.

If a patient's tobacco use status is unknown, the patient does not meet the screening requirement and does not meet the numerator for populations 1 or 3. Instances where tobacco use status of "unknown" include: 1) the patient was not screened; or 2) the patient was screened and the patient (or caregiver) was unable to provide a definitive answer.

In order to promote a team-based approach to patient care, the tobacco cessation intervention can be performed by another healthcare provider; therefore, the tobacco use screening and tobacco cessation intervention do not need to be performed by the same provider or clinician.

This measure contains three reporting rates which aim to identify patients who were screened for tobacco use (rate/population 1), patients who were identified as tobacco users and who received a tobacco cessation intervention (rate/population 2), and a comprehensive look at the overall performance on tobacco screening and cessation intervention (rate/population 3). By separating this measure into various reporting rates, the eligible clinician will be able to better ascertain where gaps in performance exist, and identify opportunities for improvement. The overall rate (rate/population 3) can be utilized to compare performance to published versions of this measure prior to the 2018 performance year, when the measure had a single performance rate. For accountability reporting in the CMS MIPS program, the rate for population 2 is used for performance.

 

The denominator of population criteria 2 is a subset of the resulting numerator for population criteria 1, as population criteria 2 is limited to assessing if patients identified as tobacco users received an appropriate tobacco cessation intervention. For all patients, population criteria 1 and 3 are applicable, but population criteria 2 will only be applicable for those patients who are identified as tobacco users. Therefore, data for every patient that meets the initial population criteria will only be submitted for population 1 and 3, whereas data submitted for population 2 will be for a subset of patients who meet the initial population criteria, as the denominator has been further limited to those who were identified as tobacco users.

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 requirement of two or more visits is to establish that the eligible clinician has an existing relationship with the patient for certain types of encounters.

To satisfy the intent of this measure, a patient must have at least one tobacco use screening during the measurement period. If a patient has multiple tobacco use screenings during the measurement period, only the most recent screening, which has a documented status of tobacco user or tobacco non-user, will be used to satisfy the measure requirements.

If a patient uses any type of tobacco (i.e., smokes or uses smokeless tobacco), the expectation is that they should receive tobacco cessation intervention: either counseling and/or pharmacotherapy.

As noted above in the 2021 USPSTF recommendation statement, the current evidence is insufficient to recommend electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for tobacco cessation. However, as noted above in the Definition section, the 2021 USPSTF recommendation also references the US Food and Drug Administration definition of tobacco, which includes e-cigarettes, hookah pens and other electronic nicotine delivery systems. Therefore, the measure does consider the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems to be tobacco use.

If a patient's tobacco use status is unknown, the patient does not meet the screening requirement and does not meet the numerator for populations 1 or 3. Instances where tobacco use status of "unknown" include: 1) the patient was not screened; or 2) the patient was screened and the patient (or caregiver) was unable to provide a definitive answer.

In order to promote a team-based approach to patient care, the tobacco cessation intervention can be performed by another healthcare provider; therefore, the tobacco use screening and tobacco cessation intervention do not need to be performed by the same provider or clinician.

This measure contains three reporting rates which aim to identify patients who were screened for tobacco use (rate/population 1), patients who were identified as tobacco users and who received a tobacco cessation intervention (rate/population 2), and a comprehensive look at the overall performance on tobacco screening and cessation intervention (rate/population 3). By separating this measure into various reporting rates, the eligible clinician will be able to better ascertain where gaps in performance exist, and identify opportunities for improvement. The overall rate (rate/population 3) can be utilized to compare performance to published versions of this measure prior to the 2018 performance year, when the measure had a single performance rate. For accountability reporting in the CMS MIPS program, the rate for population 2 is used for performance.

 

The denominator of population criteria 2 is a subset of the resulting numerator for population criteria 1, as population criteria 2 is limited to assessing if patients identified as tobacco users received an appropriate tobacco cessation intervention. For all patients, population criteria 1 and 3 are applicable, but population criteria 2 will only be applicable for those patients who are identified as tobacco users. Therefore, data for every patient that meets the initial population criteria will only be submitted for population 1 and 3, whereas data submitted for population 2 will be for a subset of patients who meet the initial population criteria, as the denominator has been further limited to those who were identified as tobacco users.

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.

Telehealth Eligible Yes Yes Yes
Rationale *See CMS138v10.html *See CMS138v11.html

This measure is intended to promote adult tobacco screening and tobacco cessation interventions for those who use tobacco products. There is good evidence that tobacco screening and brief cessation intervention (including counseling and/or pharmacotherapy) is successful in helping tobacco users quit. Tobacco users who are able to stop using tobacco lower their risk for heart disease, lung disease, and stroke.

Stratification *See CMS138v10.html *See CMS138v11.html

None

Risk Adjustment *See CMS138v10.html *See CMS138v11.html

None

Clinical Recommendation Statement *See CMS138v10.html *See CMS138v11.html

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians ask all adults about tobacco use, advise them to stop using tobacco, and provide behavioral interventions and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapy for cessation to nonpregnant adults who use tobacco (Grade A Recommendation) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).

The USPSTF recommends that clinicians ask all pregnant persons about tobacco use, advise them to stop using tobacco, and provide behavioral interventions for cessation to pregnant persons who use tobacco (Grade A Recommendation) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco cessation in pregnant women (Grade I Statement) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for tobacco cessation in adults, including pregnant persons. The USPSTF recommends that clinicians direct patients who use tobacco to other tobacco cessation interventions with proven effectiveness and established safety (Grade I Statement) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).

The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians provide interventions, including education or brief counseling, to prevent initiation of tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents (Grade B Statement) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2020).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of primary care--feasible interventions for the cessation of tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents (Grade I Statement) (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2020).

All patients should be asked if they use tobacco and should have their tobacco use status documented on a regular basis. Evidence has shown that clinic screening systems, such as expanding the vital signs to include tobacco use status or the use of other reminder systems such as chart stickers or computer prompts, significantly increase rates of clinician intervention. (Strength of Evidence = A) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, 2008).

All physicians should strongly advise every patient who smokes to quit because evidence shows that physician advice to quit smoking increases abstinence rates. (Strength of Evidence = A) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, 2008).

Minimal interventions lasting less than 3 minutes increase overall tobacco abstinence rates. Every tobacco user should be offered at least a minimal intervention, whether or not he or she is referred to an intensive intervention. (Strength of Evidence = A) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, 2008).

The combination of counseling and medication is more effective for smoking cessation than either medication or counseling alone. Therefore, whenever feasible and appropriate, both counseling and medication should be provided to patients trying to quit smoking. (Strength of Evidence = A) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, 2008).

Next Version No Version Available
Previous Version No Version Available

Header

  • Updated the eCQM version number.

    Measure Section: eCQM Version Number

    Source of Change: Annual Update

  • Updated Measure Steward.

    Measure Section: Measure Steward

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • 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

  • Updated the Clinical Recommendation Statement language to add USPSTF recommendation on pharmacotherapy interventions for pregnant women.

    Measure Section: Clinical Recommendation Statement

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced 'within 12 months' or 'during the 12-month period' with 'during the measurement period' in the header to reduce confusion for implementers.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Annual Update

Logic

  • Added online assessments and telephone visits as appropriate encounters based on the increased use of telehealth services.

    Measure Section: Initial Population

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Revised the definition name Office Based Visit During Measurement Period to Qualified Visit During Measurement Period to reflect the addition of telehealth codes.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • 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 Tobacco User (2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1170): Deleted 1 SNOMED CT code (43381005) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Tobacco Use Cessation Pharmacotherapy (2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1190): Added 12 RxNorm codes based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 4 RxNorm codes (199283, 993550, 993567, 993681) based on terminology update.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Annual Update

  • Added value set Online Assessments (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1089) based on change in measure requirements/measure specification.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added value set Telephone Visits (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1080) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

Last Updated: Feb 13, 2024