From the Washington Office

Lastly, for bariatric surgeons, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) has also been approved as a QCDR for PQRS for 2015 reporting. MBSAQIP participants have the opportunity to voluntarily elect that their QCDR quality measures be submitted for PQRS participation. Metabolic and bariatric surgeons will receive reports of their QCDR measure results such that they can track their results. MBSAQIP will submit approved QCDR measures on behalf of participants who elect to have such done on their behalf. Specifics on the approved MBSAQIP QCDR quality measures are available at www.facs.org/quality-programs/mbsaqip/resources/data-registry.

As always, ACS staff in both Washington and Chicago are available to answer questions and assist members in participating in the 2015 PQRS program:

• General PQRS questions: ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, 202-337-6701 or QualityDC@facs.org.

• Specific SSR questions: ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care, 312-202-5000 or ssr@facs.org.

• Information on MBSAQIP: ACS Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care, 312-202-5000 or rkrapikas@facs.org.

I highly encourage all Fellows to invest the time necessary to successfully participate in PQRS and thereby avoid penalties in their 2017 Medicare payment.

Until next month …

Dr. Bailey is a pediatric surgeon and Medical Director, Advocacy for the Division of Advocacy and Health Policy in the ACS offices in Washington.