The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and its contractor, Acumen, LLC, is working to develop an episode-based cost measure for prostate cancer, with the goal of using this measure in the cost performance category of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). As part of the measure development process, CMS and Acumen are conducting field testing from January 17 to February 14, 2023. Field testing is an opportunity for clinicians and other stakeholders to learn about the measure and provide feedback to the development team. Input provided during the field testing will be used to inform the final specifications of the prostate cancer cost measure. 

Clinicians and clinician groups with at least 20 episodes will receive a Field Test Report with information about their cost performance. The measurement period for this report is January 1 to December 31, 2021. The information in this report is for field testing purposes only.

Access your Field Test Report

You or your group’s authorized representative can access the Measure Field Test Report at https://qpp.cms.gov/login using a Quality Payment Program (QPP) website account. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for one. Once you have access, you can connect with your organization by navigating to the “Manage Access” tab of the QPP website. If you’re part of a clinician group, you’ll select the “practice” organization type, and if you’re an individual clinician, you’ll select the “individual clinician” organization type.   

Field Testing Materials

Field testing materials are available on the MACRA Feedback Page, under the “Wave 5 cost measures field testing” section. These include: 

• Measure specifications
• Detailed information about how to access your field test report
• General information about the measure development and field testing processes

How to Provide Feedback

Anyone interested in the measure is invited to provide feedback, regardless of whether you receive a report. Feedback will be collected via this online survey. All survey questions are optional. Participation is voluntary, and all feedback can be submitted anonymously. You can attach a comment letter (as a PDF or Word document) in addition to, or as an alternative to, responding to the survey questions.  A document containing specific questions about the measures that you can use for reference while reviewing the materials is available on the MACRA Feedback Page.  

Who to Contact with Questions

If you have questions about this field testing opportunity, please contact the QPP Service Center:

• E-mail: qpp@cms.hhs.gov
• Telephone: 1-866-288-8292, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET.

Feedback from clinical experts is vital to the measure development process. The AQUA Registry team strongly encourages you to provide input on the new prostate cancer cost measure!