Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Introduction of an Integrated Pathology Image Management, Artificial Intelligence, and Reporting System
Published on: July 11, 2025
Historic Physician Quality and Reporting System Reporting by Radiologists: A Wake-up Call to Avoid Penalties Under
Luke Ginocchio1, Richard Duszak2, Gregory N Nicola3
1Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
Purpose:
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Quality performance category is the successor to the Physician Quality and Reporting System (PQRS) program and now contributes to physicians' income adjustments based upon performance rates calculated for a minimum of six measures. We assess radiologists' frequency of reporting PQRS measures as a marker of preparedness for MACRA.
Methods:
Medicare-participating radiologists were randomly searched through the Physician Compare website until identifying 1,000 radiologists who reported at least one PQRS measure. Associations were explored between the number of reported measures and radiologist characteristics.
Results:
For PQRS-reporting radiologists, the number of reported PQRS measures was 1 (25.2%), 2 (27.3%), 3 (18.2%), 4 (19.3%), 5 (8.3%), and 6 (1.7%). The most commonly reported measures were "documenting radiation exposure time for procedures using fluoroscopy" (64.3%) and "accurate measurement of carotid artery narrowing" (56.8%). Reporting at least two measures was significantly (P < .001) more likely for nonacademic (77.3%) versus academic (44.9%) radiologists, generalists (82.7%) versus subspecialists (59.1%), and radiologists in smaller (≤9 members) (84.7%) versus larger (≥100 members) (39.7%) practices. Reporting six measures was significantly (P < .05) more likely for generalists (2.6%) versus subspecialists (0.4%).
Conclusion:
Most PQRS-reporting radiologists reported only one or two measures, well below MACRA's requirement of six. Radiologists continuing such reporting levels will likely be disadvantaged in terms of potential payment adjustments under MACRA. Lower reporting rates for academic and subspecialized radiologists, as well as those in larger practices, may relate to such radiologists' reliance on their hospitals or networks for PQRS reporting. Qualified clinical data registries should be embraced to facilitate more robust measure reporting.
Insights
Most radiologists reported only one or two measures under the Physician Quality and Reporting System (PQRS), falling short of the six measures required by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). This underreporting may disadvantage radiologists in future payment adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Health Policy
- Medical Economics
Background:
- The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Quality performance category replaces the Physician Quality and Reporting System (PQRS).
- MACRA income adjustments for physicians are based on performance rates for at least six quality measures.
- Assessing radiologists' PQRS reporting frequency serves as an indicator of their readiness for MACRA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the frequency of Medicare-participating radiologists reporting Physician Quality and Reporting System (PQRS) measures.
- To determine radiologists' preparedness for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) quality performance category.
Main Methods:
- A random search of 1,000 Medicare-participating radiologists who reported at least one PQRS measure was conducted via the Physician Compare website.
- The study explored associations between the number of reported PQRS measures and various radiologist characteristics.
Main Results:
- Most radiologists reported one (25.2%) or two (27.3%) PQRS measures, significantly below MACRA's six-measure minimum.
- Commonly reported measures included "documenting radiation exposure time" and "accurate measurement of carotid artery narrowing."
- Reporting more measures was associated with nonacademic, generalist, and smaller practice settings.
Conclusions:
- The majority of PQRS-reporting radiologists are not meeting the minimum measure requirement for MACRA.
- Radiologists reporting fewer measures may face disadvantages in MACRA payment adjustments.
- Utilizing qualified clinical data registries is recommended to improve measure reporting and MACRA preparedness.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Introduction to Documentation and Reporting
Nursing documentation records essential information and details regarding a patient's care and treatment in written or electronic form. It is a critical aspect of nursing practice that involves documenting assessments, interventions, outcomes, and other relevant details about a patient's health status.
Documentation maps the patient's health journey by creating a comprehensive...
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:24Data Reporting and Recording
01:26Methods of Documentation II: POMR
01:06Legal Guidelines for Documentation
01:21Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...