It is essential to understand the differences between MIPS Clinical Quality Measures (MIPS CQMs) and Electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs). Both types of measures play critical roles in assessing the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals and have significant influences on the level of reimbursement under MIPS.

MIPS CQMs are the traditional measures used to evaluate healthcare quality. These metrics include clinical processes, patient experiences, outcomes, and cost. They can be reported through varying methods, including claims, EHRs, and registries just to name a few. MIPS CQMs have a long reputation within the healthcare industry.

On the other hand, eCQMs are specifically designed for EHR systems. Because they only deal with electronically collected clinical data, they offer greater detail when it comes to healthcare quality assessments. eCQMs are part of the broader initiative to promote data exchange and interoperability in the healthcare sector.

The question that is often raised is whether you can mix MIPS CQMs and eCQMs in your Quality submission. The simple answer to that question is, yes. CMS yields flexibility in measure selection. This allows healthcare providers to combine both measure types to create a comprehensive overview of care quality.

Combining MIPS CQMs and eCQMs in your Quality submission can offer your practice several advantages:

1. The use of both measure types provides a more balanced and comprehensive evaluation of care quality.
2. If you use EHR systems, eCQMs seamlessly integrate with electronic data capture and reporting.
3. eCQMs, due to their electronic nature, tend to offer greater accuracy in capturing clinical data, reducing the risk of errors and inaccuracies.
4. The use of eCQMs aligns with the healthcare industry's broader goals of promoting data interoperability and exchange.
5. Combining measure types provides the flexibility to choose metrics that best represent your practice's strengths and areas for improvement.

While mixing MIPS CQMs and eCQMs offers flexibility, you should keep a few critical considerations in mind:

1. Ensure that the measures you choose align with the services you provide and the patient populations your practice serves. Selecting relevant measures is crucial for meaningful quality reporting.
2. If you decide to use eCQMs, it is important to make sure your EHR system is capable of accurately capturing and reporting electronic clinical data.
3. Be mindful of the reporting periods for each measure type and submit data according to the specified timelines to maintain compliance.
4. Regardless of the measure type, data accuracy is paramount. Errors and discrepancies in your data can negatively impact your MIPS score and reimbursement.

The ability to combine MIPS CQMs and eCQMs in your Quality submission offers healthcare providers the flexibility to create a well-rounded assessment of care quality. With proper measure selection, data accuracy, and adherence to reporting requirements, you can ensure a successful MIPS program while delivering high-quality patient care. Receiving the guidance of a MIPS qualified registry will help you make the most appropriate measure decision for your practice.