Audiology Quality Measure #3

Title

Referral for Otologic Evaluation for Patients with a History of Sudden or Rapidly Progressive Hearing Loss

This is measure #190 on the CMS website. (Select "2012 Physician Quality Reporting System Measure List and Implementation Guide" in the "Downloads" section.)

Description

Percentage of patients aged birth and older referred to a physician (preferably a physician with training in disorders of the ear) for an otologic evaluation immediately following an audiologic evaluation that verifies and documents sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss.

Instructions

This measure is to be reported a minimum of once per reporting period for all patients seen during the reporting period who present with a history of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss. This measure is intended to ensure that patients with sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss receive a referral in order to receive appropriate care. This measure may be reported by clinicians who perform the quality actions described in the measure based on the services provided and the measure-specific denominator coding.

Numerator

Patients referred to a physician (preferably a physician with training in disorders of the ear) for an otologic evaluation immediately following an audiologic evaluation that verifies and documents sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss.

Denominator

Patients aged birth and older with verification and documentation of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss.

Denominator Exclusions

Patients not eligible for the "Referral for Otologic Evaluation for Sudden or Rapidly Progressive Hearing Loss" measure (e.g., patients who are under current care of a physician for sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss.)

Applicable Care Settings

Outpatient Medicare Part B settings (excluding hospital and SNF outpatient setting).

Eligible Providers

Audiologists enrolled in Medicare Part B as a private practitioner.

Contact Information

Lisa Satterfield
Director, Health Care Regulatory Advocacy
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
lsatterfield@asha.org

Paul K. Farrell
Associate Director, Audiology Professional Practices
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
pfarrell@asha.org