Breast Cancer Screening

Measure Information	2023 Performance Period	2024 Performance Period	2025 Performance Period	2026 Performance Period
Title	Breast Cancer Screening	Breast Cancer Screening	Breast Cancer Screening	Breast Cancer Screening
CMS eCQM ID	CMS125v11	CMS125v12	CMS125v13	CMS125v14
CBE ID*	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
MIPS Quality ID	112	112	112	112
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 women 50-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period	Percentage of women 50-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period	Percentage of women 50-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period	Percentage of women 40-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period
Measure Scoring	Proportion	Proportion	Proportion	Proportion
Measure Type	Process	Process	Process	Process
Stratification	*See CMS125v11.html	None	None	Report a total rate, and each of the following age strata: Stratum 1: Patients age 42-51 by the end of the measurement period Stratum 2: Patients age 52-74 by the end of the measurement period
Risk Adjustment	*See CMS125v11.html	None	None	None
Rationale	*See CMS125v11.html	Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, accounting for 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. (Noone et al., 2018). In 2015, over 3 million women were estimated to be living with breast cancer in the U.S. and it is estimated that 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime (Noone et al., 2018). While there are other factors that affect a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, advancing age is a primary risk factor. Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed among women ages 55-64; the median age at diagnosis is 62 years (Noone et al., 2018). The chance of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer in a given year increases with age. By age 40, the chances are 1 in 68; by age 50 it becomes 1 in 43; by age 60, it is 1 in 29 (American Cancer Society, 2017).	Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, accounting for 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. (Noone et al., 2018). In 2015, over 3 million women were estimated to be living with breast cancer in the U.S. and it is estimated that 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime (Noone et al., 2018). While there are other factors that affect a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, advancing age is a primary risk factor. Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed among women ages 55-64; the median age at diagnosis is 62 years (Noone et al., 2018). The chance of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer in a given year increases with age. By age 40, the chances are 1 in 68; by age 50 it becomes 1 in 43; by age 60, it is 1 in 29 (American Cancer Society, 2017).	Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, accounting for 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. (Noone et al., 2018). In 2015, over 3 million women were estimated to be living with breast cancer in the U.S. and it is estimated that 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime (Noone et al., 2018). While there are other factors that affect a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, advancing age is a primary risk factor. Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed among women ages 55-64; the median age at diagnosis is 62 years (Noone et al., 2018). The chance of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer in a given year increases with age. By age 40, the chances are 1 in 68; by age 50 it becomes 1 in 43; by age 60, it is 1 in 29 (American Cancer Society, 2017).
Clinical Recommendation Statement	*See CMS125v11.html	The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016). The decision to start screening mammography in women prior to age 50 years should be an individual one. Women who place a higher value on the potential benefit than the potential harms may choose to begin biennial screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years (C recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as a primary screening method for breast cancer (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adjunctive screening for breast cancer using breast ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, DBT, or other methods in women identified to have dense breasts on an otherwise negative screening mammogram (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend using conventional mammography or DBT for screening women at low, intermediate or high risk for breast cancer (NCCN, 2021) (ACR, 2017).	The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016). The decision to start screening mammography in women prior to age 50 years should be an individual one. Women who place a higher value on the potential benefit than the potential harms may choose to begin biennial screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years (C recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as a primary screening method for breast cancer (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adjunctive screening for breast cancer using breast ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, DBT, or other methods in women identified to have dense breasts on an otherwise negative screening mammogram (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend using conventional mammography or DBT for screening women at low, intermediate or high risk for breast cancer (NCCN, 2021) (ACR, 2017).	The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2024). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2024). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as a primary screening method for breast cancer (I statement) (USPSTF, 2024). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adjunctive screening for breast cancer using breast ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in women identified to have dense breasts on an otherwise negative screening mammogram (I statement) (USPSTF, 2024). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend using conventional mammography or DBT for screening women at low, intermediate or high risk for breast cancer (NCCN, 2021) (ACR, 2017).
Improvement Notation	Higher score equals better quality	Higher score equals better quality	Higher score equals better quality	Higher score equals better quality
Definition	*See CMS125v11.html	None	None	None
Guidance	This measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening. 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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening. Please note the measure may include screenings performed outside the age range of patients referenced in the initial population. Screenings that occur prior to the measurement period are valid to meet measure criteria. 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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening. Please note the measure may include screenings performed outside the age range of patients referenced in the initial population. Screenings that occur prior to the measurement period are valid to meet measure criteria. 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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening. Please note the measure may include screenings performed outside the age range of patients referenced in the initial population. Screenings that occur prior to the measurement period are valid to meet measure criteria. 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	Women 52-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period	Women 52-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period	Women 52-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period	Women 42-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period
Denominator	Equals Initial Population	Equals Initial Population	Equals Initial Population	Equals Initial Population
Denominator Exclusions	Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy. 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 and older 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 receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.	Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy on or before the end of 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 and older 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 receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.	Exclude patients who are in hospice care for any part of the measurement period. Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy on or before the end of the measurement period. Exclude patients 66 and older 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 diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior - OR taking dementia medications during the measurement period or the year prior 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 receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.	Exclude patients who are in hospice care for any part of the measurement period. Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy on or before the end of the measurement period. Exclude patients 66 and older 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 diagnosis during the measurement period or the year prior - OR taking dementia medications during the measurement period or the year prior 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 receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.
Numerator	Women with one or more mammograms any time on or between October 1 two years prior to the measurement period and the end of the measurement period	Women with one or more mammograms any time on or between October 1 two years prior to the measurement period and the end of the measurement period	Women with one or more mammograms any time on or between October 1 two years prior to the measurement period and the end of the measurement period	Women with one or more mammograms any time on or between October 1 two years prior to the measurement period and the end of the measurement period
Numerator Exclusions	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	None
Denominator Exceptions	None	None	None	None
Telehealth Eligible	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Next Version	CMS125v12	CMS125v13	CMS125v14	No Version Available
Previous Version	No Version Available	CMS125v11	CMS125v12	CMS125v13

Measure Information

2023 Performance Period

2024 Performance Period

2025 Performance Period

2026 Performance Period

Title

Breast Cancer Screening

CMS eCQM ID

CMS125v11

CMS125v12

CMS125v13

CMS125v14

CBE ID*

Not Applicable

MIPS Quality ID

112

Measure Steward

National Committee for Quality Assurance

Description

Percentage of women 50-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period

Percentage of women 40-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period

Measure Scoring

Proportion

Measure Type

Process

Stratification

*See CMS125v11.html

None

Report a total rate, and each of the following age strata:

Stratum 1: Patients age 42-51 by the end of the measurement period

Stratum 2: Patients age 52-74 by the end of the measurement period

Risk Adjustment

*See CMS125v11.html

None

Rationale

*See CMS125v11.html

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, accounting for 15 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. (Noone et al., 2018). In 2015, over 3 million women were estimated to be living with breast cancer in the U.S. and it is estimated that 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime (Noone et al., 2018).

While there are other factors that affect a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, advancing age is a primary risk factor. Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed among women ages 55-64; the median age at diagnosis is 62 years (Noone et al., 2018).

The chance of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer in a given year increases with age. By age 40, the chances are 1 in 68; by age 50 it becomes 1 in 43; by age 60, it is 1 in 29 (American Cancer Society, 2017).

Clinical Recommendation Statement

*See CMS125v11.html

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016).

The decision to start screening mammography in women prior to age 50 years should be an individual one. Women who place a higher value on the potential benefit than the potential harms may choose to begin biennial screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years (C recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as a primary screening method for breast cancer (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adjunctive screening for breast cancer using breast ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, DBT, or other methods in women identified to have dense breasts on an otherwise negative screening mammogram (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016).

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend using conventional mammography or DBT for screening women at low, intermediate or high risk for breast cancer (NCCN, 2021) (ACR, 2017).

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2016).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2016).

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40-74 years (B recommendation) (USPSTF, 2024).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older (I statement) (USPSTF, 2024).

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of adjunctive screening for breast cancer using breast ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in women identified to have dense breasts on an otherwise negative screening mammogram (I statement) (USPSTF, 2024).

Improvement Notation

Higher score equals better quality

Definition

*See CMS125v11.html

None

Guidance

This measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening.

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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening.

Please note the measure may include screenings performed outside the age range of patients referenced in the initial population. Screenings that occur prior to the measurement period are valid to meet measure criteria.

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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening.

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 measure evaluates primary screening. Do not count biopsies, breast ultrasounds, or MRIs because they are not appropriate methods for primary breast cancer screening.

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

Women 52-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period

Women 42-74 years of age by the end of the measurement period with a visit during the measurement period

Denominator

Equals Initial Population

Denominator Exclusions

Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy.

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 and older 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 receiving palliative care for any part of the measurement period.

Women who had a bilateral mastectomy or who have a history of a bilateral mastectomy or for whom there is evidence of a right and a left unilateral mastectomy on or before the end of the measurement period.