Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment
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| Measure Information | 2022 Performance Period | 2023 Performance Period | 2024 Performance Period | 2025 Performance Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Initiation and Engagement of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence Treatment | Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment | Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment | Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment |
| CMS eCQM ID | CMS137v10 | CMS137v11 | CMS137v12 | CMS137v13 |
| CBE ID* | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| MIPS Quality ID | 305 | 305 | 305 | 305 |
| Measure Steward | National Committee for Quality Assurance | National Committee for Quality Assurance | National Committee for Quality Assurance | National Committee for Quality Assurance |
| Description |
Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a new episode of alcohol or other drug abuse or (AOD) dependence who received the following. Two rates are reported. a. Percentage of patients who initiated treatment including either an intervention or medication for the treatment of AOD abuse or dependence within 14 days of the diagnosis b. Percentage of patients who engaged in ongoing treatment including two additional interventions or a medication for the treatment of AOD abuse or dependence within 34 days of the initiation visit. For patients who initiated treatment with a medication, at least one of the two engagement events must be a treatment intervention. |
Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a new substance use disorder (SUD) episode who received the following (Two rates are reported): a. Percentage of patients who initiated treatment, including either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD, within 14 days of the new SUD episode. b. Percentage of patients who engaged in ongoing treatment, including two additional interventions or short-term medications, or one long-term medication for the treatment of SUD, within 34 days of the initiation. |
Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a new substance use disorder (SUD) episode who received the following (Two rates are reported): a. Percentage of patients who initiated treatment, including either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD, within 14 days of the new SUD episode. b. Percentage of patients who engaged in ongoing treatment, including two additional interventions or short-term medications, or one long-term medication for the treatment of SUD, within 34 days of the initiation. |
Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a new substance use disorder (SUD) episode who received the following (Two rates are reported): a. Percentage of patients who initiated treatment, including either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD, within 14 days of the new SUD episode. b. Percentage of patients who engaged in ongoing treatment, including two additional interventions or medication treatment events for SUD, or one long-acting medication event for the treatment of SUD, within 34 days of the initiation. |
| Measure Scoring | Proportion measure | Proportion measure | Proportion measure | Proportion measure |
| Measure Type | Process | Process | Process | Process |
| Stratification | *See CMS137v10.html | *See CMS137v11.html |
Report a total score, and each of the following strata: Stratum 1: Patients age 13-17 at the start of the measurement period Stratum 2: Patients age 18-64 at the start of the measurement period Stratum 3: Patients age 65 and older at the start of the measurement period |
Report a total score, and each of the following strata: Stratum 1: Patients age 13-17 at the start of the measurement period Stratum 2: Patients age 18-64 at the start of the measurement period Stratum 3: Patients age 65 and older at the start of the measurement period |
| Risk Adjustment | *See CMS137v10.html | *See CMS137v11.html |
None |
None |
| Rationale | *See CMS137v10.html | *See CMS137v11.html |
There are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. In 2018, 20.3 million individuals in the U.S. age 12 or older (approximately 8 percent of the population) were classified as having an SUD within the past year (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2019). Despite the high prevalence of SUD in the U.S., fewer than 20 percent of individuals with SUD receive any substance use treatment and only 12 percent receive treatment in a specialty SUD program (SAMHSA, 2019). |
There are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. In 2021, 46.3 million individuals in the U.S. age 12 or older (16.5 percent of the population) met the diagnosis criteria for having an SUD within the past year (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2022). Despite the high prevalence of SUD in the U.S., 94 percent of individuals aged 12 or older with an SUD did not receive any treatment (SAMHSA, 2022). |
| Clinical Recommendation Statement | *See CMS137v10.html | *See CMS137v11.html |
American Society of Addiction Medicine (2020) - All Food and Drug Administration approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder should be available to all patients. Clinicians should consider the patient’s preferences, past treatment history, current state of illness, and treatment setting when deciding between the use of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. - There is no recommended time limit for pharmacological treatment - Patients’ psychosocial needs should be assessed, and patients should be offered or referred to psychosocial treatment based on their individual needs. However, a patient’s decision to decline psychosocial treatment or the absence of available psychosocial treatment should not preclude or delay pharmacotherapy, with appropriate medication management. Motivational interviewing or enhancement can be used to encourage patients to engage in psychosocial treatment services appropriate for addressing individual needs. American Psychiatric Association (2018) - Patients with alcohol use disorder should have a documented comprehensive and person-centered treatment plan that includes evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments. [1C] - Naltrexone or acamprosate should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of reducing alcohol consumption or achieving abstinence, prefer pharmacotherapy or have not responded to nonpharmacological treatments alone, and have no contraindications to the use of these medications. [1B] - Disulfiram should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of achieving abstinence, prefer disulfiram or are intolerant to or have not responded to naltrexone and acamprosate, are capable of understanding the risks of alcohol consumption while taking disulfiram, and have no contraindications to the use of this medication. [2C] - Topiramate or gabapentin should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of reducing alcohol consumption or achieving abstinence, prefer topiramate or gabapentin or are intolerant to or have not responded to naltrexone and acamprosate, and have no contraindications to the use of these medications. [2C] American Psychiatric Association (2006) - Because many substance use disorders are chronic, patients usually require long-term treatment, although the intensity and specific components of treatment may vary over time [I rating]. - It is important to intensify the monitoring for substance use during periods when the patient is at a high risk of relapsing, including during the early stages of treatment, times of transition to less intensive levels of care, and the first year after active treatment has ceased [I rating]. - Outpatient treatment of substance use disorders is appropriate for patients whose clinical condition or environmental circumstances do not require a more intensive level of care [I rating]. As in other treatment settings, a comprehensive approach is optimal, using, where indicated, a variety of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions along with behavioral monitoring [I rating ]. - Disulfiram is also recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [II rating]. - Naltrexone, injectable naltrexone, acamprosate, a y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [I rating]. Disulfiram is also recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [II rating]. - Methadone and buprenorphine are recommended for patients with opioid dependence [I rating]. - Naltrexone is an alternative strategy [I rating]. American Society of Addiction Medicine (2015) - Methadone and buprenorphine are recommended for opioid use disorder treatment and withdrawal management. - Naltrexone (oral; extended-release injectable) is recommended for relapse prevention. Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium (2017) - Patients with substance use disorder or risky substance use: Patient Education and Brief Intervention by PCP or Trained Staff (e.g. RN, MSW) - If diagnosed with substance use disorder or risky substance use, initiate an intervention within 14 days. - Frequent follow-up is helpful to support behavior change; preferably 2 visits within 30 days. - Refer to a substance abuse health specialist, an addiction physician specialist, or a physician experienced in pharmacologic management of addiction. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (2015) - Offer referral to specialty SUD care for addiction treatment if based on willingness to engage. [B] - For patients with moderate-severe alcohol use disorder, we recommend: Acamprosate, Disulfiram, Naltrexone- oral or extended release, or Topiramate. [A] - Medications should be offered in combined with addiction-focused counseling. offering one or more of the following interventions considering patient preference and provider training/competence: Behavioral Couples Therapy for alcohol use disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for substance use disorders, Community Reinforcement Approach, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, 12-Step Facilitation. [A] - For patients with opioid use disorder we recommend buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone in an Opioid Treatment Program. For patients for whom agonist treatment is contraindicated, unacceptable, unavailable, or discontinued, we recommend extended-release injectable naltrexone. [A] - For patients initiated in an intensive phase of outpatient or residential treatment, recommend ongoing systematic relapse prevention efforts or recovery support, individualized on the basis of treatment response. [A] |
American Society of Addiction Medicine (2020) - All Food and Drug Administration approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder should be available to all patients. Clinicians should consider the patient’s preferences, past treatment history, current state of illness, and treatment setting when deciding between the use of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. - There is no recommended time limit for pharmacological treatment - Patients’ psychosocial needs should be assessed, and patients should be offered or referred to psychosocial treatment based on their individual needs. However, a patient’s decision to decline psychosocial treatment or the absence of available psychosocial treatment should not preclude or delay pharmacotherapy, with appropriate medication management. Motivational interviewing or enhancement can be used to encourage patients to engage in psychosocial treatment services appropriate for addressing individual needs. American Psychiatric Association (2018) - Patients with alcohol use disorder should have a documented comprehensive and person-centered treatment plan that includes evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments. [1C] - Naltrexone or acamprosate should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of reducing alcohol consumption or achieving abstinence, prefer pharmacotherapy or have not responded to nonpharmacological treatments alone, and have no contraindications to the use of these medications. [1B] - Disulfiram should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of achieving abstinence, prefer disulfiram or are intolerant to or have not responded to naltrexone and acamprosate, are capable of understanding the risks of alcohol consumption while taking disulfiram, and have no contraindications to the use of this medication. [2C] - Topiramate or gabapentin should be offered to patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder who have a goal of reducing alcohol consumption or achieving abstinence, prefer topiramate or gabapentin or are intolerant to or have not responded to naltrexone and acamprosate, and have no contraindications to the use of these medications. [2C] American Psychiatric Association (2006) - Because many substance use disorders are chronic, patients usually require long-term treatment, although the intensity and specific components of treatment may vary over time [I rating]. - It is important to intensify the monitoring for substance use during periods when the patient is at a high risk of relapsing, including during the early stages of treatment, times of transition to less intensive levels of care, and the first year after active treatment has ceased [I rating]. - Outpatient treatment of substance use disorders is appropriate for patients whose clinical condition or environmental circumstances do not require a more intensive level of care [I rating]. As in other treatment settings, a comprehensive approach is optimal, using, where indicated, a variety of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions along with behavioral monitoring [I rating]. - Disulfiram is also recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [II rating]. - Naltrexone, injectable naltrexone, acamprosate, a y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [I rating]. Disulfiram is also recommended for patients with alcohol dependence [II rating]. - Methadone and buprenorphine are recommended for patients with opioid dependence [I rating]. - Naltrexone is an alternative strategy [I rating]. American Society of Addiction Medicine (2015) - Methadone and buprenorphine are recommended for opioid use disorder treatment and withdrawal management. - Naltrexone (oral; extended-release injectable) is recommended for relapse prevention. Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium (2021) - Patients with substance use disorder or risky substance use: Patient Education and Brief Intervention by a Primary Care Physician (PCP) or Trained Staff (e.g., Registered Nurse [RN], Master of Social Work [MSW]) - If diagnosed with substance use disorder or risky substance use, initiate an intervention within 14 days. - Frequent follow-up is helpful to support behavior change; preferably 2 visits within 30 days. - Refer to a substance abuse health specialist, an addiction physician specialist, or a physician experienced in pharmacologic management of addiction. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (2015) - Offer referral to specialty SUD care for addiction treatment based on willingness to engage. [B] - For patients with moderate-severe alcohol use disorder, we recommend: Acamprosate, Disulfiram, Naltrexone- oral or extended release, or Topiramate. [A] - Medications should be offered in combined with addiction-focused counseling, offering one or more of the following interventions considering patient preference and provider training/competence: Behavioral Couples Therapy for alcohol use disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for substance use disorders, Community Reinforcement Approach, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, 12-Step Facilitation. [A] - For patients with opioid use disorder we recommend buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone in an Opioid Treatment Program. For patients for whom agonist treatment is contraindicated, unacceptable, unavailable, or discontinued, we recommend extended-release injectable naltrexone. [A] - For patients initiated in an intensive phase of outpatient or residential treatment, recommend ongoing systematic relapse prevention efforts or recovery support, individualized on the basis of treatment response. [A] |
| Improvement Notation |
Higher score indicates better quality |
Higher score indicates better quality |
Higher score indicates better quality |
Higher score indicates better quality |
| Definition | *See CMS137v10.html | *See CMS137v11.html |
The new SUD episode is the first encounter during the Intake Period with a diagnosis of SUD with no encounter or medication treatment for a diagnosis of SUD in the 60 days prior. The initiation of treatment is the first SUD treatment within 14 days of a new SUD episode. Treatment includes inpatient SUD admissions, outpatient visits, intensive outpatient encounters or partial hospitalizations, and medications for the treatment of SUD. The Intake Period: January 1-November 14 of the measurement year. The Intake Period is used to capture new SUD episodes. The November 14 cut-off date ensures that all services can occur before the measurement period ends. |
The new SUD episode is the first encounter during the Intake Period with a diagnosis of SUD with no encounter or medication treatment for a diagnosis of SUD in the 60 days prior. The initiation of treatment is the first SUD treatment within 14 days of a new SUD episode. Treatment includes inpatient SUD admissions, outpatient visits, intensive outpatient encounters or partial hospitalizations, and medications for the treatment of SUD. The Intake Period: January 1-November 14 of the measurement year. The Intake Period is used to capture new SUD episodes. The November 14 cut-off date ensures that all services can occur before the measurement period ends. |
| Guidance |
The new episode of alcohol and other drug dependence should be the first episode of the measurement period that is not preceded in the 60 days prior by another episode of alcohol or other drug dependence. 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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
Patients age 13 years of age and older who were diagnosed with a new episode of alcohol, opioid, or other drug abuse or dependency during a visit between January 1 and November 14 of the measurement period |
Patients age 13 years of age and older as of the start of the measurement period who were diagnosed with a new SUD episode during a visit between January 1 and November 14 of the measurement period |
Patients 13 years of age and older as of the start of the measurement period who were diagnosed with a new SUD episode during a visit between January 1 and November 14 of the measurement period |
Patients 13 years of age and older as of the start of the measurement period who were diagnosed with a new SUD episode during a visit between January 1 and November 14 of the measurement period |
| Denominator |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
Equals Initial Population |
| Denominator Exclusions |
Exclude patients with a negative diagnosis history, defined as an encounter or medication treatment for a diagnosis of alcohol, opioid or other drug abuse or dependence in the 60 days prior to the first episode of alcohol or drug dependence. 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 |
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 |
| Numerator |
Numerator 1: Initiation of treatment includes either an intervention or medication for the treatment of AOD abuse or dependence within 14 days of the diagnosis. Numerator 2: Engagement in ongoing treatment within 34 days of initiation includes: 1. Patients that initiated treatment with a psychosocial visit, and whose engagement criteria was fulfilled by a dispensed medication. 2. Patients that initiated treatment with a psychosocial visit, and whose engagement criteria was fulfilled by two further psychosocial visits. 3. Patients that initiated treatment with a dispensed medication, and whose engagement criteria was fulfilled by both a further medication dispense and a psychosocial visit. 4. Patients that initiated treatment with a dispensed medication, and whose engagement criteria was fulfilled by two psychosocial visits. |
Numerator 1: Initiation of treatment includes either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD within 14 days of the new SUD episode Numerator 2: Engagement in ongoing SUD treatment within 34 days of initiation includes: 1. A long-acting SUD medication on the day after the initiation through 34 days after the initiation of treatment 2. One of the following options on the day after the initiation of treatment through 34 days after the initiation of treatment: a) two engagement visits, b) two engagement medication treatment events, c) one engagement visit and one engagement medication treatment event |
Numerator 1: Initiation of treatment includes either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD within 14 days of the new SUD episode Numerator 2: Engagement in ongoing SUD treatment within 34 days of initiation includes: 1. A long-acting SUD medication on the day after the initiation through 34 days after the initiation of treatment 2. One of the following options on the day after the initiation of treatment through 34 days after the initiation of treatment: a) two engagement visits, b) two engagement medication treatment events, c) one engagement visit and one engagement medication treatment event |
Numerator 1: Initiation of treatment includes either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD within 14 days of the new SUD episode. Numerator 2: Engagement in ongoing SUD treatment within 34 days of initiation includes: 1. A long-acting SUD medication on the day after the initiation through 34 days after the initiation of treatment. 2. One of the following options on the day after the initiation of treatment through 34 days after the initiation of treatment: a) two engagement visits, b) two engagement medication treatment events, c) one engagement visit and one engagement medication treatment event. |
| 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 CMS137v13
Header
Updated the eCQM version number.
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Changed all references from NQF to CBE to identify the consensus-based entity role.
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Logic
Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library to v8.0.000 and the library name from 'MATGlobalCommonFunctions' to 'MATGlobalCommonFunctionsQDM.'
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Updated the value set name for 'Online Assessments' to 'Virtual Encounter' for a more accurate description.
Measure Section:
Definitions
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Measure Lead
Updated the version number of the Hospice Library to v6.0.000 and the library name from 'Hospice' to 'HospiceQDM.'
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Definitions
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Annual Update
Renamed value set to 'Payer Type' to more accurately reflect the contents and intent of the value set.
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Definitions
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Standards/Technical Update
Removed value set 'Initial Hospital Observation Care' from the definition 'Qualifying Encounters' due to obsolete codes.
Measure Section:
Definitions
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Measure Lead
Replaced logic operator !~ with != to account for a tooling issue relating to id comparison that should not impact measure calculation.
Measure Section:
Definitions
Source of Change:
Standards/Technical Update
Updated the version number of the Measure Authoring Tool (MAT) Global Common Functions Library to v8.0.000 and the library name from 'MATGlobalCommonFunctions' to 'MATGlobalCommonFunctionsQDM.'
Measure Section:
Functions
Source of Change:
Annual 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 Hospice Care Ambulatory (2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1584): Added 2 SNOMED CT codes (170935008, 170936009) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 1 SNOMED CT code (385765002) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Removed value set Initial Hospital Observation Care (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1002) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set Office Visit (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1001): Deleted 2 SNOMED CT codes (30346009, 37894004) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 1 CPT code (99201) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set Virtual Encounter (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1089): Deleted 2 CPT codes (98969, 99444) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 3 HCPCS codes (G2061, G2062, G2063) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
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Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set (2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.3591): Renamed to Payer Type based on recommended value set naming conventions.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Annual Update
Value set Substance Use Disorder (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.106.12.1001): Added 3 SNOMED CT codes (1255013006, 1255015004, 1255018002) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Deleted 34 SNOMED CT codes based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
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Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set Substance Use Disorder Long Acting Medication (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.1149): Added 7 RxNorm codes (2639021, 2639029, 2639031, 2639033, 2639036, 2639041, 2639043) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set Substance Use Disorder Long Acting Medication Administration (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.1156): Added 13 HCPCS codes based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
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Measure Lead
Value set Substance Use Disorder Short Acting Medication Administration (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.1157): Added 1 SNOMED CT code (1254709001) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback. Added 2 HCPCS codes (H0006, H0028) based on review by technical experts, SMEs, and/or public feedback.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Measure Lead
Value set (2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1089): Renamed to Virtual Encounter based on recommended value set naming conventions.
Measure Section:
Terminology
Source of Change:
Annual Update