PQRI Offers Bonuses, Head Start on Quality Reporting

From July 1 to Dec. 31, family physicians can earn a 1.5 percent bonus from Medicare by participating in CMS' Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, or PQRI. The program is voluntary and requires no advance registration.

Bruce Bagley, M.D., AAFP's medical director of quality improvement, is encouraging family physicians to take part in the program. By doing so, physicians will earn a little extra cash, but, more importantly, says Bagley, PQRI participation will teach physicians and their office staff members how to collect data for quality reporting, thus preparing them for future pay-for-performance initiatives.

Here's your chance to hear Bagley talk about PQRI and the advantages of participating in the program.