Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care
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| Measure Information | 2023 Performance Period | 2024 Performance Period | 2025 Performance Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care | Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care | Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care |
| CMS eCQM ID | CMS142v11 | CMS142v12 | CMS142v13 |
| CBE ID* | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| MIPS Quality ID | 019 | 019 | 019 |
| Measure Steward | American Academy of Ophthalmology | American Academy of Ophthalmology | American Academy of Ophthalmology |
| Description |
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed with documented communication to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes mellitus regarding the findings of the macular or fundus exam at least once within 12 months |
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed with documented communication to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes mellitus regarding the findings of the macular or fundus exam at least once during the measurement period |
Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed with documented communication to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes mellitus regarding the findings of the macular or fundus exam at least once during the measurement period |
| Measure Scoring | Proportion measure | Proportion measure | Proportion measure |
| Measure Type | Process | Process | Process |
| Stratification | *See CMS142v11.html |
None |
None |
| Risk Adjustment | *See CMS142v11.html |
None |
None |
| Rationale | *See CMS142v11.html |
Diabetic retinopathy is a prevalent complication of diabetes, estimated to affect 28.5% of diabetic patients in the US (Zhang et al., 2010). Diabetic retinopathy is a key indicator of systemic complications of diabetes (Zhang et al., 2010). Coordination of care between the eye care specialist and the physician managing a patient’s ongoing diabetes care is essential in stemming the progression of vision loss. Communication from the eye care specialist to a primary care physician facilitates the exchange of information about the severity and progression of a patient’s diabetic retinopathy, adherence to recommended ocular care, need for follow-up visits, and treatment plans (Storey et al., 2016). Data from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed that diabetic treatment and maintenance of glucose control delays the onset and slows the progression of diabetic retinopathy (Aiello & DCCT/EDIC Research Group, 2014). |
Diabetic retinopathy is a prevalent complication of diabetes, estimated to affect 28.5% of diabetic patients in the US (Zhang et al., 2010). Diabetic retinopathy is a key indicator of systemic complications of diabetes (Zhang et al., 2010). Coordination of care between the eye care specialist and the physician managing a patient’s ongoing diabetes care is essential in stemming the progression of vision loss. Communication from the eye care specialist to a primary care physician facilitates the exchange of information about the severity and progression of a patient’s diabetic retinopathy, adherence to recommended ocular care, need for follow-up visits, and treatment plans (Storey et al., 2016). Data from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed that diabetic treatment and maintenance of glucose control delays the onset and slows the progression of diabetic retinopathy (Aiello & DCCT/EDIC Research Group, 2014). |
| Clinical Recommendation Statement | *See CMS142v11.html |
The ophthalmologist should refer patients with diabetes to a primary care physician for appropriate management of their systemic condition and should communicate examination results to the physician managing the patient's ongoing diabetes care (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al., 2020). Ophthalmologists should communicate the ophthalmologic findings and level of retinopathy with the primary care physician as well as the need for optimizing metabolic control (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al,, 2020). Close partnership with the primary care physician is important to make sure that the care of the patient is optimized (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al., 2020). |
The ophthalmologist should refer patients with diabetes to a primary care physician for appropriate management of their systemic condition and should communicate examination results to the physician managing the patient's ongoing diabetes care (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al., 2020). Ophthalmologists should communicate the ophthalmologic findings and level of retinopathy with the primary care physician as well as the need for optimizing metabolic control (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al,, 2020). Close partnership with the primary care physician is important to make sure that the care of the patient is optimized (III; Good Quality; Strong Recommendation) (Flaxel et al., 2020). |
| Improvement Notation |
Higher score indicates better quality |
Higher score indicates better quality |
Higher score indicates better quality |
| Definition | *See CMS142v11.html |
Communication - May include documentation in the medical record indicating that the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam were communicated (e.g., verbally, by letter) with the clinician managing the patient's diabetic care OR a copy of a letter in the medical record to the clinician managing the patient's diabetic care outlining the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam. Findings - Includes level of severity of retinopathy (e.g., mild nonproliferative, moderate nonproliferative, severe nonproliferative, very severe nonproliferative, proliferative) AND the presence or absence of macular edema. |
Communication - May include documentation in the medical record indicating that the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam were communicated (e.g., verbally, by letter) with the clinician managing the patient's diabetic care OR a copy of a letter in the medical record to the clinician managing the patient's diabetic care outlining the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam. Findings - Includes level of severity of retinopathy (e.g., mild nonproliferative, moderate nonproliferative, severe nonproliferative, very severe nonproliferative, proliferative) AND the presence or absence of macular edema. |
| Guidance |
The measure, as written, does not specifically require documentation of laterality. Coding limitations in particular clinical terminologies do not currently allow for that level of specificity (ICD-10-CM includes laterality, but SNOMED-CT does not uniformly include this distinction). Therefore, at this time, it is not a requirement of this measure to indicate laterality of the diagnoses, findings or procedures. Available coding to capture the data elements specified in this measure has been provided. It is assumed that the eligible professional or eligible clinician will record laterality in the patient medical record, as quality care and clinical documentation should include laterality. The communication of results to the primary care physician providing ongoing care of a patient's diabetes should be completed soon after the dilated exam is performed. 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 see patients towards the end of the reporting period (i.e., December in particular), should communicate the results of the dilated macular exam as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator. Communicating the results as soon as possible after the date of the exam will ensure the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. Telehealth encounters are not eligible for this measure because the measure requires a clinical action that cannot be conducted via telehealth. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
The measure, as written, does not specifically require documentation of laterality. Coding limitations in particular clinical terminologies do not currently allow for that level of specificity (ICD-10-CM includes laterality, but SNOMED-CT does not uniformly include this distinction). Therefore, at this time, it is not a requirement of this measure to indicate laterality of the diagnoses, findings or procedures. Available coding to capture the data elements specified in this measure has been provided. It is assumed that the eligible clinician will record laterality in the patient medical record, as quality care and clinical documentation should include laterality. The communication of results to the primary care physician providing ongoing care of a patient's diabetes should be completed soon after the dilated exam is performed. 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 clinicians who see patients towards the end of the reporting period (i.e., December in particular), should communicate the results of the dilated macular exam as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator. Communicating the results as soon as possible after the date of the exam will ensure the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. Telehealth encounters are not eligible for this measure because the measure requires a clinical action that cannot be conducted via telehealth. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
The measure, as written, does not specifically require documentation of laterality. Coding limitations in particular clinical terminologies do not currently allow for that level of specificity (ICD-10-CM includes laterality, but SNOMED-CT does not uniformly include this distinction). Therefore, at this time, it is not a requirement of this measure to indicate laterality of the diagnoses, findings or procedures. Available coding to capture the data elements specified in this measure has been provided. It is assumed that the eligible clinician will record laterality in the patient medical record, as quality care and clinical documentation should include laterality. The communication of results, including the level of severity of diabetic retinopathy and presence or absence of macular edema to the primary care physician providing ongoing care of a patient's diabetes should be completed soon after the dilated exam is performed. 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 see patients towards the end of the measurement period (i.e., December in particular), should communicate the results of the dilated macular exam as soon as possible in order for those patients to be counted in the measure numerator. Communicating the results as soon as possible after the date of the exam will ensure the data are included in the submission to CMS. This eCQM is a patient-based measure. Telehealth encounters are not eligible for this measure because the measure requires a clinical action that cannot be conducted via telehealth. This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.6. Please refer to the QDM page for more information on the QDM. |
| Initial Population |
All patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy |
All patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy |
All patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy |
| Denominator |
Equals Initial Population who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed |
Equals Initial Population who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed |
Equals Initial Population who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed |
| Denominator Exclusions |
None |
None |
None |
| Numerator |
Patients with documentation, at least once within 12 months, of the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam via communication to the physician who manages the patient's diabetic care |
Patients with documentation, at least once within the measurement period, of the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam via communication to the physician who manages the patient's diabetic care |
Patients with documentation, at least once within the measurement period, of the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam via communication to the physician who manages the patient's diabetic care |
| Numerator Exclusions |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
| Denominator Exceptions |
Documentation of medical reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. Documentation of patient reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. |
Documentation of medical reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. Documentation of patient reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. |
Documentation of medical reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. Documentation of patient reason(s) for not communicating the findings of the dilated macular or fundus exam to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes. |
| Telehealth Eligible | No | No | No |
| Next Version | No Version Available | ||
| Previous Version | No Version Available |
Additional Resources for CMS142v12
Header
Revised language in description to align with measure logic by replacing 'within 12 months' with 'during the measurement period'.
Measure Section: Description
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 grammar, wording, and/or formatting to improve readability and consistency.
Measure Section: Rationale
Source of Change: Annual Update
Updated references.
Measure Section: Reference
Source of Change: Measure Lead
Revised guidance language to remove references to 'eligible professional' to align with CMS progrmamatic guidance.
Measure Section: Guidance
Source of Change: Measure Lead
Revised language in numerator to align with measure logic by replacing '12 months' with 'during the mesaurment period'.
Measure Section: Numerator
Source of Change: Measure Lead
Logic
Add 'day of Measurement Period' for harmonization with other measures.
Measure Section: Definitions
Source of Change: Measure Lead
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 Patient Reason (2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1008): Deleted 3 SNOMED CT codes (183944003, 413310006, 413312003) based on terminology update.
Measure Section: Terminology
Source of Change: Annual Update
Value set Payer (2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.3591): Added 5 SOP codes (1111, 1112, 142, 344, 141) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section: Terminology
Source of Change: Measure Lead