Quality Measures Inventory

Quality Measures Inventory

The CMS Quality Measures Inventory is a compilation of measures used by CMS in various quality, reporting and payment programs. The Inventory lists each measure by program, reporting measure specifications including, but not limited to, numerator, denominator, exclusion criteria, National Quality Strategy (NQS) domain, measure type, and National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsement status. CMS publishes an updated Measures Inventory multiple times a year. It is important to note that any changes to measures (data, use, status, etc), are validated through Federal Rules and/or CMS Program/Measure Leads. Any updates that occur after the CMS Quality Measures Inventory has been publicly posted will not be captured until the next posting.

The CMS Quality Measures Inventory also reports the pipeline/Measures under Development (MUD), which are measures that are in the process of being developed for eventual consideration for a CMS program. Measures submitted for consideration in the pre-rulemaking process, but which have not completed the process and been accepted into a program, are also included. The measure’s information will be as complete as the resources used to populate the measure, and will include measure information such as anticipated CMS program, measure type, NQF endorsement status, measure steward, and measure developer. Measures on the MUD List are not developed enough to undergo a final determination of any kind with respect to inclusion into a CMS program. CMS provides this list of planned measures for the purposes of promoting transparency, measure coordination and harmonization, alignment of quality improvement efforts, and public participation.

In an effort to compile a comprehensive repository of quality measures, measures that were on previous Measures under Consideration (MUC) Lists are now included in the CMS Quality Measures Inventory. These are measures approved for consideration of use in a Medicare program covered under Affordable Care Act Section 3014, and must clear CMS’s Pre-rulemaking and rulemaking processes for full implementation into the intended CMS program.

The CMS Measures Inventory Tool (CMIT) is an interactive web-based application with intuitive and user-friendly functions. CMIT increases transparency and can be used to identify measures across the continuum of care. The tool will also assist with alignment activities and help coordinate measurement efforts across all conditions, settings, and populations.  To access CMIT, go to https://cmit.cms.gov.