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Controlling High Blood Pressure

Compare Versions of: "Controlling High Blood Pressure"

The Compare function compares two years of the measure specifications found in the header of the measure's HTML. It does not include a comparison of any information in the body of the HTML, e.g., population criteria, Clinical Quality Language, or value sets.

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Measure Information 2022 Performance Period 2023 Performance Period 2024 Performance Period
Title Controlling High Blood Pressure Controlling High Blood Pressure Controlling High Blood Pressure
CMS eCQM ID CMS165v10 CMS165v11 CMS165v12
CBE ID Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable
MIPS Quality ID 236 236 236
Description

Percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period, and whose most recent blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90mmHg) during the measurement period

Percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period, and whose most recent blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90mmHg) during the measurement period

Percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period, and whose most recent blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90 mmHg) during the measurement period

Definition *See CMS165v10.html *See CMS165v11.html

None

Initial Population

Patients 18-85 years of age who had a visit and diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period.

Patients 18-85 years of age by the end of the measurement period who had a visit and diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period

Patients 18-85 years of age by the end of the measurement period who had a visit during the measurement period and diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period

Numerator

Patients whose most recent blood pressure is adequately controlled (systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) during the measurement period

Patients whose most recent blood pressure is adequately controlled (systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) during the measurement period

Patients whose most recent blood pressure is adequately controlled (systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) during the measurement period

Numerator Exclusions

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Denominator

Equals Initial Population

Equals Initial Population

Equals Initial Population

Denominator Exclusions

Patients with evidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis or renal transplant before or during the measurement period. Also exclude patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy during the measurement period.

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

Exclude patients 66 and older who are living long term in an institution for more than 90 consecutive days during the measurement period.

Exclude patients 66 and older with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period who meet any of the following criteria:

- Advanced illness with two outpatient encounters during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR advanced illness with one inpatient encounter during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR taking dementia medications during the measurement period or the year prior

Exclude patients 81 and older with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period.

Exclude patients receiving palliative care during the measurement period.

Patients with evidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis or renal transplant before or during the measurement period. Also exclude patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy during the measurement period.

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

Exclude patients 66 and older by the end of the measurement period who are living long term in a nursing home any time on or before the end of the measurement period.

Exclude patients 66-80 by the end of the measurement period with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period who also meet any of the following advanced illness criteria:

- Advanced illness with two outpatient encounters during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR advanced illness with one inpatient encounter during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR taking dementia medications during the measurement period or the year prior

Exclude patients 81 and older by the end of the measurement period with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period.

Exclude patients receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.

Patients with evidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis or renal transplant before or during the measurement period. Also exclude patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy during the measurement period.

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

Exclude patients 66 and older by the end of the measurement period who are living long term in a nursing home any time on or before the end of the measurement period.

Exclude patients 66-80 by the end of the measurement period with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period who also meet any of the following advanced illness criteria:

- Advanced illness with two outpatient encounters during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR advanced illness with one inpatient encounter during the measurement period or the year prior

- OR taking dementia medications during the measurement period or the year prior

Exclude patients 81 and older by the end of the measurement period with an indication of frailty for any part of the measurement period.

Exclude patients receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.

Denominator Exceptions

None

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 Intermediate Outcome measure Intermediate Clinical Outcome measure Intermediate Clinical Outcome measure
Improvement Notation

Higher score indicates better quality

Higher score indicates better quality

Higher score indicates better quality

Guidance

In reference to the numerator element, only blood pressure readings performed by a clinician or a remote monitoring device are acceptable for numerator compliance with this measure. This includes blood pressures taken in person by a clinician and blood pressures measured remotely by electronic monitoring devices capable of transmitting the blood pressure data to the clinician. Blood pressure readings taken by a remote monitoring device and conveyed by the patient to the clinician are also acceptable. It is the clinician’s responsibility and discretion to confirm the remote monitoring device used to obtain the blood pressure is considered acceptable and reliable and whether the blood pressure reading is considered accurate before documenting it in the patient’s medical record.

Do not include BP readings:

-Taken during an acute inpatient stay or an ED visit

-Taken on the same day as a diagnostic test or diagnostic or therapeutic procedure that requires a change in diet or change in medication on or one day before the day of the test or procedure, with the exception of fasting blood tests.

-Taken by the patient using a non-digital device such as with a manual blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope.

If no blood pressure is recorded during the measurement period, the patient's blood pressure is assumed "not controlled."

If there are multiple blood pressure readings on the same day, use the lowest systolic and the lowest diastolic reading as the most recent blood pressure reading.

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.

In reference to the numerator element, only blood pressure readings performed by a clinician or a remote monitoring device are acceptable for numerator compliance with this measure. This includes blood pressures taken in person by a clinician and blood pressures measured remotely by electronic monitoring devices capable of transmitting the blood pressure data to the clinician. Blood pressure readings taken by a remote monitoring device and conveyed by the patient to the clinician are also acceptable. It is the clinician’s responsibility and discretion to confirm the remote monitoring device used to obtain the blood pressure is considered acceptable and reliable and whether the blood pressure reading is considered accurate before documenting it in the patient’s medical record.

Do not include BP readings taken during an acute inpatient stay or an ED visit.

If no blood pressure is recorded during the measurement period, the patient's blood pressure is assumed "not controlled".

If there are multiple blood pressure readings on the same day, use the lowest systolic and the lowest diastolic reading as the most recent blood pressure reading. Ranges and thresholds do not meet criteria for this measure. A distinct numeric result for both the systolic and diastolic BP reading is required for numerator compliance.

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.

In reference to the numerator element, only blood pressure readings performed by a clinician or an automated blood pressure monitor or device are acceptable for numerator compliance with this measure. This includes blood pressures taken in person by a clinician and blood pressures measured remotely by electronic monitoring devices capable of transmitting the blood pressure data to the clinician. Blood pressure readings taken by an automated blood pressure monitor or device and conveyed by the patient to the clinician are also acceptable. It is the clinician’s responsibility and discretion to confirm the automated blood pressure monitor or device used to obtain the blood pressure is considered acceptable and reliable and whether the blood pressure reading is considered accurate before documenting it in the patient’s medical record.

Do not include BP readings taken during an acute inpatient stay or an ED visit.

If no blood pressure is recorded during the measurement period, the patient's blood pressure is assumed "not controlled".

If there are multiple blood pressure readings on the same day, use the lowest systolic and the lowest diastolic reading as the most recent blood pressure reading. Ranges and thresholds do not meet criteria for this measure. A distinct numeric result for both the systolic and diastolic BP reading is required for numerator compliance.

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 CMS165v10.html *See CMS165v11.html

High blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is when the pressure in blood vessels is higher than normal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). The causes of hypertension are multiple and multifaceted and can be based on genetic predisposition, environmental risk factors, being overweight and obese, sodium intake, potassium intake, physical activity, and alcohol use. High blood pressure is common; according to the American Heart Association, between 2013-2016, approximately 121.5 million US adults >= 20 years of age had HBP and the prevalence of hypertension among US adults 65 and older was 77.0 percent (Virani et al., 2021). In an analysis of adults with hypertension in NHANES, the estimated age-adjusted proportion with controlled BP increased from 31.8 percent in 1999 to 53.8 percent in 2014. However, that proportion declined to 43.7 percent in 2017 to 2018 (Tsao et al., 2022).

HBP, known as the “silent killer,” increases risks of heart disease and stroke which are two of the leading causes of death in the US; a person who has HBP is four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease (CDC, 2012). The National Center for Health Statistics reported that in 2020 there were over 670,000 deaths with HBP as a primary or contributing cause (CDC, 2022). Between 2009 and 2019 the number of deaths due to HBP rose by 65.3 percent (Tsao et al., 2022). Managing and treating HBP would reduce cardiovascular disease mortality for males and females by 30.4 percent and 38.0 percent, respectively (Patel et al., 2015). Age-adjusted death rates attributable to HBP in 2019 were more than twice as high in non-Hispanic Black males (56.7 percent) when compared to rates for non-Hispanic White males (25.7 percent) (Tsao et al., 2022).

HBP costs the U.S. approximately 131 billion dollars each year, averaged over 12 years from 2003 to 2014 (Kirkland et al., 2018). A study on cost-effectiveness on treating hypertension found that controlling HBP in patients with cardiovascular disease and systolic blood pressures (SBP) of >= 160 mmHg could be effective and cost-saving (Moran, 2015).

Many studies have shown that controlling high blood pressure reduces cardiovascular events and mortality. The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) investigated the impact of obtaining a SBP goal of <120 mmHg compared to a SBP goal of <140 mmHg among patients 50 and older with established cardiovascular disease and found that the patients with the former goal had reduced cardiovascular events and mortality (SPRINT Research Group et al., 2015).

Controlling HBP will significantly reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease mortality and lead to better health outcomes like reduction of heart attacks, stroke, and kidney disease (James et al., 2014). Thus, the relationship between the measure (control of hypertension) and the long-term clinical outcomes listed is well established.

Stratification *See CMS165v10.html *See CMS165v11.html

None

Risk Adjustment *See CMS165v10.html *See CMS165v11.html

None

Clinical Recommendation Statement *See CMS165v10.html *See CMS165v11.html

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2021):

- The USPSTF recommends screening for hypertension in adults 18 years or older with office blood pressure measurement (OBPM). The USPSTF recommends obtaining blood pressure measurements outside of the clinical setting for diagnostic confirmation before starting treatment. This is a grade A recommendation.

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (2017):

- For adults with confirmed hypertension and known CVD or 10-year ASCVD event risk of 10 percent or higher, a blood pressure target of less than 130/80 mmHg is recommended (Level of evidence: B-R (for systolic blood pressures), Level of evidence: C-EO (for diastolic blood pressure))

- For adults with confirmed hypertension, without additional markers of increased CVD risk, a blood pressure target of less than 130/80 mmHg may be reasonable (Note: clinical trial evidence is strongest for a target blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg in this population. However, observational studies suggest that these individuals often have a high lifetime risk and would benefit from blood pressure control earlier in life) (Level of evidence: B-NR (for systolic blood pressure), Level of evidence: C-EO (for diastolic blood pressure)).

American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians (2017):

- Initiate or intensify pharmacologic treatment in some adults aged 60 years or older at high cardiovascular risk, based on individualized assessment, to achieve a target systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mmHg (Grade: weak recommendation, Quality of evidence: low)

- Initiate or intensify pharmacologic treatment in adults aged 60 years or older with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack to achieve a target systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mmHg to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke (Grade: weak recommendation, Quality of evidence: moderate)

American Diabetes Association (2021):

- For individuals with diabetes and hypertension at higher cardiovascular risk (existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk >=15 percent), a blood pressure target of <130/80 mmHg may be appropriate, if it can be safely attained (Level of evidence: C)

- For individuals with diabetes and hypertension at lower risk for cardiovascular disease (10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk <15 percent), treat to a blood pressure target of <140/90 mmHg (Level of evidence: A)

Next Version No Version Available
Previous Version No Version Available

Header

  • Updated copyright.

    Measure Section: Copyright

    Source of Change: Annual Update

  • Updated the rationale to align with recently published evidence.

    Measure Section: Rationale

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the clinical recommendation statement to align with recently published evidence.

    Measure Section: Clinical Recommendation Statement

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated references.

    Measure Section: Reference

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added blood pressure reading guidance to clarify that numeric results are required.

    Measure Section: Guidance

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Removed blood pressure reading guidance not specified in the logic to reduce confusion.

    Measure Section: Guidance

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated version number of the Quality Data Model (QDM) used in the measure specification to v5.6.

    Measure Section: Guidance

    Source of Change: Standards/Technical Update

  • Revised denominator exclusion narrative from living long term in an institution for more than 90 consecutive days language to living long term in a nursing home to reflect revised logic.

    Measure Section: Denominator Exclusions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added detail to the frailty and advanced illness exclusion language to clarify the measure requirements.

    Measure Section: Denominator Exclusions

    Source of Change: ONC Project Tracking System (JIRA): CQM-4971

  • Revised the palliative care exclusion language to clarify the timing requirement.

    Measure Section: Denominator Exclusions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated grammar and punctuation to improve readability.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added age anchor specification to the initial population and denominator exclusion descriptions to clarify measure requirements.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

Logic

  • Combined AdultOutpatientEncounters.'Qualifying Encounters', 'Online Assessments', and 'Telephone Visits' encounters into a single definition to improve stylistic consistency across measures.

    Measure Section: Initial Population

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced QDM datatype Encounter, Performed with Assessment, Performed and new modeling to improve data capturing of patients receiving long-term care.

    Measure Section: Denominator Exclusions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the order of appearance of systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading definitions to align with clinical workflow.

    Measure Section: Numerator

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added QDM datatypes Encounter, Performed and Assessment, Performed and associated logic to the Hospice.'Has Hospice Services' definition to provide additional approaches for identifying patients receiving hospice services.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the timing precision of advanced illness encounter definitions by replacing the syntax '2 years or less on or before' with an interval.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the timing precision in the definitions from datetime to date by adding 'day of', 'date from', and/or function 'ToDateInterval' to align with the measure intent.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the order of appearance of systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading definitions to align with clinical workflow.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced the retired QDM datatype Device, Applied with Assessment, Performed for identifying frailty device usage.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced QDM datatype Encounter, Performed with Assessment, Performed and new modeling to improve data capturing of patients receiving long-term care.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced CQL keyword 'ascending' with 'asc' to improve readability.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Combined AdultOutpatientEncounters.'Qualifying Encounters', 'Online Assessments', and 'Telephone Visits' encounters into a single definition to improve stylistic consistency across measures.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added QDM datatype Diagnosis to provide an alternate approach for identifying patients receiving palliative care.

    Measure Section: Definitions

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version number of the Palliative Care Exclusion Library to v2.0.000.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version number of the Hospice Library to v4.0.000.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version number of the Advanced Illness and Frailty Exclusion ECQM Library to v7.0.000.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version number of the Adult Outpatient Encounters Library to v3.0.000.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library to v7.0.000.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Standards/Technical Update

  • Updated the names of CQL definitions, functions, and/or aliases for clarification and to align with the CQL Style Guide.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Standards/Technical Update

  • Replaced the Global.CalendarAgeInYearsAt function with the native CQL function AgeInYearsAt to take advantage of existing CQL features and increase human readability. As a result of this change, the LOINC code 21112-8 is no longer required and has been removed from the Terminology section of the human readable specification.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Revised the long-term care denominator exclusion logic to improve readability and clarity.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Revised the initial population and denominator exclusions age anchor from the 'start of the measurement period' to the 'end of the measurement period' to align with the measure intent and CQL style best practices.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Updated the version of the Quality Data Model (QDM) to 5.6 and Clinical Quality Language (CQL) to 1.5.

    Measure Section: Multiple Sections

    Source of Change: Standards/Technical 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.

  • Added direct reference code LOINC code (98181-1) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added direct reference code SNOMED CT code (160734000) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added direct reference code LOINC code (71802-3) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added direct reference code LOINC code (45755-6) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added direct reference code ICD-10-CM code (Z51.5) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Removed direct reference code LOINC code (21112-8) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Outpatient (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1087): Deleted 2 SNOMED CT codes (30346009, 37894004) based on validity of code during timing of look back period.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Removed value set Nursing Facility Visit (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1012) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Palliative Care Intervention (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.198.12.1135): Added 3 SNOMED CT codes (305686008, 305824005, 441874000) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Dementia Medications (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1510): Added 3 RxNorm codes (1858970, 996572, 996624) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Advanced Illness (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.110.12.1082): Added 108 SNOMED CT codes based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 122 SNOMED CT codes based on terminology update. Added 2 ICD-10-CM codes (C79.63, G35) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Removed value set Care Services in Long-Term Residential Facility (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1014) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added value set Hospice Encounter (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.1003) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Replaced value set Hospice Care Ambulatory (2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1108.15) with value set Hospice Care Ambulatory (2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1584) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Value set Frailty Symptom (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.113.12.1075): Deleted 1 SNOMED CT code (459821000124104) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

  • Added direct reference code SNOMED CT code (373066001) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.

    Measure Section: Terminology

    Source of Change: Measure Lead

Last Updated: Mar 04, 2024