cms-gov/mmshub.cms.gov/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/alignment
2025-02-28 14:41:14 -05:00

2500 lines
90 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# schema: http://schema.org/ sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema# ">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="The definition of measure" />
<link rel="canonical" href="http://mmshub.cms.gov/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/alignment" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/gtm/google_tag.script.js?ss7w0y" defer></script>
<title>Measure Harmonization and Alignment | The Measures Management System</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/core.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/controlgroup.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/checkboxradio.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/resizable.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/button.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/dialog.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/ajax-progress.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/align.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/autocomplete-loading.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/fieldgroup.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/container-inline.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/clearfix.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/details.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/hidden.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/item-list.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/js.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/nowrap.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/position-container.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/progress.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/reset-appearance.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/resize.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/sticky-header.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-counter.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-counters.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-general-info.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/tabledrag.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/tablesort.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/tree-child.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/ckeditor5/css/ckeditor5.dialog.fix.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/views/css/views.module.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/themes/base/theme.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/css/accordion.frontend.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/ds/css/ds-2col-fluid.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/glossify/css/glossify_popup.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/css/uswds.css?ss7w0y" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/css/style.css?ss7w0y" />
</head>
<body class="page-node-466 page-node-type-page path-node anonymous">
<a href="#main-content" class="usa-sr-only focusable">
Skip to main content
</a>
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PNNJP8D" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
<div class="usa-overlay"></div>
<header class="usa-header usa-header--extended usa-header--extended-megamenu" id="header">
<div class="region region-header usa-navbar">
<div class="usa-logo site-logo" id="logo">
<em class="usa-logo__text">
<a class="logo-img" href="/" accesskey="1" title="Homepage of mmshub.cms.gov" aria-label="Homepage of mmshub.cms.gov">
<img src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/img/MMS-header-logo_LG.svg" alt="CMS.gov MMS Hub Logo" />
</a>
</em>
</div>
<button class="usa-menu-btn">Menu</button><div class="views-exposed-form search-block block block-views-exposed-filter-blocks block-views-exposed-filter-blocks-block" data-drupal-selector="views-exposed-form-search-block-1" id="block-viewsexposedfilterblock">
<form action="/search" method="get" id="views-exposed-form-search-block-1" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="usa-form">
<div class="form-item js-form-item form-type-textfield js-form-type-textfield form-item-search-api-fulltext js-form-item-search-api-fulltext form-no-label">
<input placeholder="Type to create a new search" data-drupal-selector="edit-search-api-fulltext" type="text" id="edit-search-api-fulltext" name="search_api_fulltext" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-text usa-input" />
</div>
<div data-drupal-selector="edit-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-actions">
<input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit-search" type="submit" id="edit-submit-search" value="Search" class="button js-form-submit form-submit usa-button" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
<nav class="usa-nav">
<div class="usa-nav__inner">
<button class="usa-nav__close">
<img src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/img/close.svg" alt="close"/>
</button>
<ul class="usa-nav__primary usa-accordion" role="navigation">
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link is_expanded " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-1">
<span>About Quality Measurement</span>
</button>
<div id="extended-mega-nav-section-1" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu" hidden="">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-3 gridused">
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>About MMS</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-About-MMS" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-About-MMS" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/MMS-overview">
<span>MMS Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>New to Measures</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-New-to-Measures" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-New-to-Measures" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/new-to-measures/what-is-a-measure">
<span>Get Started with Quality Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/new-to-measures/roles">
<span>Roles in Measure Development</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Types of Measures</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Types-of-Measures" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Types-of-Measures" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/types/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-3 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Types-of-Measures">
<span>Composite Measure</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Composite-Measure" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Composite-Measure" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/types/composite-measure/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/types/composite-measure/component-measures">
<span>Component Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/types/population-health">
<span>Population Health Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Quality Measurement at CMS</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Quality-Measurement-at-CMS" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Quality-Measurement-at-CMS" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/quality-at-CMS/goals">
<span>CMS Goals and Priorities</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/quality-at-CMS/principles">
<span>Measure Development Principles</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/quality-at-CMS/quality">
<span>Quality Across CMS</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link usa-current is_expanded " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-2">
<span>Blueprint Measure Lifecycle</span>
</button>
<div id="extended-mega-nav-section-2" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu" hidden="">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-3 gridused">
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Blueprint Measure Lifecycle</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Blueprint-Measure-Lifecycle" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Blueprint-Measure-Lifecycle" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/blueprint-measure-lifecycle-overview">
<span>Blueprint Measure Lifecycle Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/about-quality/blueprint-measure-lifecycle/theory">
<span>Measure Development Theory</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Measure Conceptualization</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Conceptualization" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Conceptualization" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-2 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Conceptualization">
<span>Information Gathering</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Information-Gathering" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Information-Gathering" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/information-gathering/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/information-gathering/conduct-environment-scan">
<span>Conduct an Environmental Scan</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/information-gathering/analyze-data-gap-analysis">
<span>Analyze Data &amp; Conduct Gap Analysis</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/information-gathering/respecified-measures">
<span>Respecified Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/information-gathering/justify-creation-new-measures">
<span>Justify the Creation of New Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-2 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Conceptualization">
<span>Business Case Development</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Business-Case-Development" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Business-Case-Development" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/business-case/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/business-case/outcomes">
<span>Documenting Outcomes, Benefits, &amp; Costs</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-conceptualization/business-case/best-practices">
<span>Business Case Best Practices</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Measure Specification</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Specification" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Specification" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specifications-measure-category">
<span>Specifications by Measure Category</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/define-data-sources">
<span>Define Data Sources</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-3 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Specification">
<span>Develop Specifications</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Develop-Specifications" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Develop-Specifications" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/target-initial-population">
<span>Define the Target/Initial Population</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/denominator">
<span>Define the Denominator</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/numerator">
<span>Define the Numerator and Exclusions</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/stratification">
<span>Define Stratification Scheme</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification/respecifying-registry-measures">
<span>Respecifying Registry Measures to Electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs)</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-3 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Specification">
<span>Specify the Code</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Specify-the-Code" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Specify-the-Code" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specify-code/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specify-code/code-systems-vocabularies-terminologies">
<span>Code Systems, Vocabularies, and Terminologies</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specify-code/encode-clinical-information">
<span>Encoding Clinical Information</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specify-code/data-standards">
<span>Data Standards</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-3 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Specification">
<span>Construct Data Protocol</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Construct-Data-Protocol" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Construct-Data-Protocol" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/key-terms">
<span>Define Key Terms, Data Elements, Codes, and Code Systems</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/level-measurement-analysis">
<span>Describe Level of Measurement &amp; Sampling</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/risk-adjustment">
<span>Determine Risk Adjustment</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/time-interval">
<span>Define Any Time Intervals</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol/scoring">
<span>Describe Scoring &amp; Calculation Algorithm</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/document-measure">
<span>Document the Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-3 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link usa-currentis_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Specification">
<span>Measure Harmonization</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Harmonization" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Harmonization" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/alignment">
<span>Measure Harmonization and Alignment</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/when-to-consider">
<span>When to Consider Measure Harmonization</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Measure Testing</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Testing" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Testing" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-4 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Testing">
<span>Measure Testing Process</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Testing-Process" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Testing-Process" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/develop-workplan">
<span>Develop The Testing Work Plan</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/perform-sampl">
<span>Perform Sampling</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/implement-and-analyze">
<span>Implement, Analyze, Refine &amp; Retest</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/summary">
<span>Measure Testing Summary</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/process/testing-respecified-measures">
<span>Testing Respecified Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-4 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Testing">
<span>Measure Evaluation Criteria</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Evaluation-Criteria" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Evaluation-Criteria" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/evaluation-criteria/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/evaluation-criteria/importance">
<span>Importance</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/evaluation-criteria/scientific-acceptability">
<span>Scientific Acceptability</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/evaluation-criteria/feasibility">
<span>Feasibility</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-testing/evaluation-criteria/usability">
<span>Usability &amp; Use</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Measure Implementation</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Implementation" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Implementation" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/selection">
<span>Measure Selection</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-5 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Implementation">
<span>Pre-Rulemaking</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Pre-Rulemaking" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Pre-Rulemaking" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/pre-rulemaking/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/pre-rulemaking/guidance-measure-submitters">
<span>Guidance for Measure Submitters</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/pre-rulemaking/measure-priorities">
<span>Measure Priorities</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/pre-rulemaking/lists-and-reports">
<span>MUC Lists and Recommendation Reports</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/rollout">
<span>Measure Rollout</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-5 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Implementation">
<span>CMS Consensus-Based Entity (CBE) Endorsement and Maintenance</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-CMS-Consensus-Based-Entity-(CBE)-Endorsement-and-Maintenance" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-CMS-Consensus-Based-Entity-(CBE)-Endorsement-and-Maintenance" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/CMS-CBE-EM/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/CMS-CBE-EM/Measure-Submission-to-the-CMS-CBE">
<span>Measure Submission to the CMS CBE</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-implementation/CMS-CBE-EM/Endorsement-Process">
<span>The CMS CBE Endorsement Process</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Measure Use, Continuing Evaluation &amp; Maintenance</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Use,-Continuing-Evaluation-&amp;-Maintenance" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Use,-Continuing-Evaluation-&amp;-Maintenance" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/production-and-monitoring">
<span>Measure Production &amp; Monitoring</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/evaluation">
<span>Continuing Evaluation</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-6 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Measure-Use,-Continuing-Evaluation-&amp;-Maintenance">
<span>Measure Maintenance Reviews</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Measure-Maintenance-Reviews" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Measure-Maintenance-Reviews" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/maintenance/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/maintenance/annual-update">
<span>Annual Update</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/maintenance/comprehensive-reevaluation">
<span>Comprehensive Reevaluation</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/maintenance/early-maintenance-review">
<span>Early Maintenance Review</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-use/maintenance/harmonization-during-maintenance">
<span>Harmonization during Measure Maintenance</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Interested Party Engagement</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Interested-Party-Engagement" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Interested-Party-Engagement" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/stakeholder-engagement/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/stakeholder-engagement/lifecycle">
<span>Interested Party Engagement in the Measure Lifecycle</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/stakeholder-engagement/roles">
<span>Roles in Engagement</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/stakeholder-engagement/types">
<span>Types of Interested Party Engagement</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link is_expanded " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-3">
<span>Tools &amp; Resources</span>
</button>
<div id="extended-mega-nav-section-3" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu" hidden="">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-3 gridused">
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>MMS Tools &amp; Resources</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-MMS-Tools-&amp;-Resources" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-MMS-Tools-&amp;-Resources" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/tools-and-resources/mms-supplemental-materials">
<span>Supplemental Materials</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/tools-and-resources/mms-templates">
<span>Templates for Measure Development</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/educational-resources">
<span>Educational Resources</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/mms-tools">
<span>MMS Tools</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Additional Tools &amp; Resources</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Additional-Tools-&amp;-Resources" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Additional-Tools-&amp;-Resources" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/cms-tools">
<span>CMS Tools</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/external-resources">
<span>External Resources</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="https://mmshub.cms.gov/glossary">
<span>Glossary</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Pre-Rulemaking Resources</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Pre-Rulemaking-Resources" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Pre-Rulemaking-Resources" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/Pre-Rulemaking-Resources">
<span>Pre-Rulemaking Resources</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link is_expanded " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-4">
<span>Get Involved</span>
</button>
<div id="extended-mega-nav-section-4" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu" hidden="">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-3 gridused">
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>Get Involved</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Get-Involved" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Get-Involved" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/how-to">
<span>How to Get Involved</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-1 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Get-Involved">
<span>Technical Expert Panels</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Technical-Expert-Panels" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Technical-Expert-Panels" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/technical-expert-panel/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/technical-expert-panel/current">
<span>Current TEP Opportunities</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/technical-expert-panel/updates">
<span>Updates to Established TEPs</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button_second-1 usa-nav__submenu-list-2" class="usa-accordion__button_second usa-nav__link is_expanded closed" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="basic-nav-section-Get-Involved">
<span>Public Comments</span>
</button>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-Public-Comments" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-Public-Comments" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/public-comments/overview">
<span>Overview</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/public-comments/current">
<span>Current Public Comment Opportunities</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/public-comments/summaries">
<span>Summaries of Past Public Comments</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/call-for-measures">
<span>Call for Measures</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/get-involved/other-involvement">
<span>Other Types of Involvement</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item is_expanded">
<button id="usa-accordion__button" class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link is_expanded " aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="extended-mega-nav-section-5">
<span>News &amp; Events</span>
</button>
<div id="extended-mega-nav-section-5" class="usa-nav__submenu usa-megamenu" hidden="">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-3 gridused">
<div class="desktop:grid-col-3">
<div class="usa-nav__headermenu-item">
<span><strong>News &amp; Events</strong></span>
</div>
<ul id="basic-nav-section-News-&amp;-Events" class="usa-nav__submenu-list-2 is_collapsed " aria-controls="extended-mmega-nav-section-News-&amp;-Events" >
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/news-events/all">
<span>News &amp; Events</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/news-events/news-by-month">
<span>News By Month</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__submenu-item menu_level_2 is_collapsed ">
<a href="/news-events/event-calendar">
<span>Event Calendar</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</nav>
</header>
<section class="usa-hero usa-hero-interior">
<div class="usa-hero__callout">
<div id="block-mms-hcd-breadcrumbs" class="grid-container grid-col-12 block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block">
<nav class="usa-breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb">
<h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="usa-sr-only">Breadcrumb</h2>
<ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list">
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<a href="/" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Home</span></a>
</li>
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/overview" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"><span>Measure Specification</span></a>
</li>
<li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item">
<span>Measure Harmonization and Alignment</span>
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
</div>
<div class="views-element-container grid-container grid-col-12 block block-views block-views-blockparent-title-block-1" id="block-views-block-parent-title-block-1">
<div><div class="js-view-dom-id-bfe34015762f48abca512eadee9ff3bfa0856eb29d9d0973dd932762ca4a32c6">
<div class="views-row"><div class="views-field views-field-field-parent-title"><h1 class="field-content"><span class="glossify-exclude">Measure <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Harmonization&lt;/span&gt; is the standardization of specifications for related measures with the same measure focus (e.g., influenza immunization of patients in hospitals or nursing homes); related measures for the same target population (e.g., eye exam and Hemoglobin A1c for patients with diabetes); or definitions applicable to many measures (e.g., age designation for children) so they are uniform or compatible, unless the measure developer can justify differences (i.e., dictated by the evidence). The dimensions of &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;harmonization&lt;/span&gt; can include numerator, denominator, exclusion, calculation, and data source, and collection instructions. The extent of &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;harmonization&lt;/span&gt; depends on the relationship of the measures, the evidence for the specific measure focus, and differences in data sources. Value sets used in measures (especially eCQMs) should be harmonized when the intended meaning is the same. &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Harmonization&lt;/span&gt; of logic in eCQMs is beneficial when the data source in the EHR is the same.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">Harmonization</abbr></span></h1></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<main class="main-content usa-layout-docs usa-section sidebar_first"
id="main-content">
<a href="#" id="main-content" class="hidden" tabindex="-1">main-content</a>
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row">
</div>
<div class="">
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
</div>
<div class="grid-row ">
</div>
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div class="usa-layout-docs__main desktop:grid-col-fill">
<nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-mainnavigation-2-menu" id="block-mainnavigation-2">
<h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-mainnavigation-2-menu">Main navigation</h2>
<div class="usa-nav__inner">
<ul class="usa-nav__primary usa-accordion" role="navigation">
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/overview">Overview</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specifications-measure-category">Specifications by Measure Category</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/define-data-sources">Define Data Sources</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/develop-specification">Develop Specifications</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/specify-code">Specify the Code</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/data-protocol">Construct Data Protocol</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link ">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/document-measure">Document the Measures</a>
</span>
</li>
<li class="usa-nav__primary-item">
<span class="usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link usa-current">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization">Measure Harmonization</a>
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</nav>
<h1 class="margin-0">
<span property="schema:name">Measure Harmonization and Alignment</span>
</h1>
<div id="block-mms-hcd-content" class="grid-col-12 block block-system block-system-main-block">
<div data-history-node-id="466" class="node node--type-page node--view-mode-full group-one-column ds-2col-fluid clearfix" typeof="schema:WebPage">
<div class="group-left desktop:grid-col-8 tablet:grid-col-12">
<div property="schema:text" class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The definition of measure <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Harmonization&lt;/span&gt; is the standardization of specifications for related measures with the same measure focus (e.g., influenza immunization of patients in hospitals or nursing homes); related measures for the same target population (e.g., eye exam and Hemoglobin A1c for patients with diabetes); or definitions applicable to many measures (e.g., age designation for children) so they are uniform or compatible, unless the measure developer can justify differences (i.e., dictated by the evidence). The dimensions of &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;harmonization&lt;/span&gt; can include numerator, denominator, exclusion, calculation, and data source, and collection instructions. The extent of &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;harmonization&lt;/span&gt; depends on the relationship of the measures, the evidence for the specific measure focus, and differences in data sources. Value sets used in measures (especially eCQMs) should be harmonized when the intended meaning is the same. &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Harmonization&lt;/span&gt; of logic in eCQMs is beneficial when the data source in the EHR is the same.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">harmonization</abbr> is standardizing <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Specifications&lt;/span&gt; are measure instructions addressing data elements, data sources, point of data collection, timing and frequency of data collection and reporting, specific instruments used (if appropriate), and implementation strategies.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">specifications</abbr> for <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Related measures&lt;/span&gt; are measures addressing either the same topic or the same population. This term is used when considering harmonization. See also Competing Measures.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">related measures</abbr> when they</p><ul><li>have the same measure focus (i.e., <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;numerator&lt;/span&gt; is the upper portion of a fraction used to calculate a rate, proportion, or ratio. Also called the measure focus, it is the target process, condition, event, or outcome. &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Numerator&lt;/span&gt; criteria are the processes or outcomes expected for each patient, procedure, or other unit of measurement defined in the denominator. A &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;numerator&lt;/span&gt; statement describes the action satisfying the conditions of the performance measure.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">numerator</abbr> <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;A criterion is an accepted standard, principle, or rule used to make a decision or to inform an evaluators judgment.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">criteria</abbr>)</li><li>have the same <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;target/initial population&lt;/span&gt; refers to all events for evaluation by a specific performance measure involving patients who share a common set of specified characteristics within a specific measurement set to which a given measure belongs. Measured entities should draw all patients/episodes (e.g., as numerator, as denominator) from the &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;target/initial population&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">target population</abbr> (i.e., <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;denominator&lt;/span&gt; is a statement describing the population evaluated by the performance measure and is the lower part of a fraction used to calculate a rate, proportion, or ratio. It can be the same as the target/initial population or a subset of the target/initial population to further constrain the population for the purpose of the measure. CV measures may refer to this as measure population.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">denominator</abbr> criteria)</li><li>have elements that apply to many measures (e.g., age designation for children)</li></ul><p>Measure developers should harmonize measures unless there is a compelling reason for not doing so that would justify keeping two or more similar appearing measures separate (e.g., significant risk variation by age, comorbidity, race). The measure developer should harmonize and standardize measure specifications so they are uniform or compatible unless the measure developer can justify differences as dictated by the evidence.</p><p>The dimensions of harmonization can include numerator, denominator, numerator and denominator exclusions, denominator exceptions, calculation, and <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Data sources&lt;/span&gt; are the primary source document(s) used for data collection (e.g., billing or administrative data, encounter form, enrollment form, patient medical record).&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">data source</abbr> and collection instructions. The extent of harmonization depends on the relationship of the measures, evidence for the specific measure focus, and differences in data sources.</p><p>The measure developer must ensure harmonization of the <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;Risk adjustment&lt;/span&gt; is a mathematical model applied to a quality measure correcting for differing characteristics within a population, such as patient health status. Its purpose is a fairer and more accurate comparison of outcomes of care across health care organizations or clinicians. Measure developers usually apply &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;risk adjustment&lt;/span&gt; models to outcome and cost/resource use measures.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">risk adjustment</abbr> methodology of the harmonized measure with the risk adjustment methodology of the related measure or justify any differences. Measure developers should use the Blueprint content on the CMS MMS Hub as a guide to understand some of the concepts to explore during the development and assessment of the risk adjustment model. Because of the complexity of risk adjustment models, the measure developer should provide sufficient information to facilitate the understanding of the measure when vetted through CMS and its measure development partners, e.g., other federal agencies, or <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to contract with a consensus-based entity (CBE) regarding performance measurement. The CMS CBE endorses quality measures through a transparent, consensus-based process incorporating feedback from diverse groups of interested parties to foster health care quality improvement.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">CMS consensus-based entity</abbr> (CBE) for endorsement. For more information on risk adjustment, see the <a href="/sites/default/files/Risk-Adjustment-in-Quality-Measurement.pdf" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="2870af2d-505c-47ee-991f-b001c344a896" data-entity-substitution="media" title="Risk-Adjustment-in-Quality-Measurement.pdf">Risk Adjustment in Quality Measurement</a> &nbsp;supplemental material.</p><p>The Blueprint content defines measure <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;Alignment, with respect to quality measures, is encouraging the use of similar, standardized quality measures across and within public and private sector efforts. Achievement of alignment is when a set of measures works well across care settings or programs to produce meaningful information without creating extra work for measured entities. Alignment includes using the same quality measures in multiple programs when possible. It can also come from consistently measuring important topics across care settings.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">alignment</abbr> as encouraging the use of similar standardized <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act defined a &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;quality measure&lt;/span&gt; as “a standard for measuring the performance and improvement of population health or of health plans, providers of services, and other clinicians in the delivery of health care services.” (&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf&quot;&gt;Pub. L. 111-148, 931&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">quality measures</abbr> among government and private sector efforts. Harmonization is related to measure alignment because multiple programs and care settings may use harmonized measures of similar concepts. CMS seeks to align measures across programs, with other federal programs, and with private sector initiatives as much as is reasonable.</p><p>Alignment of quality initiatives across programs and with other federal partners and insurers helps to ensure clear information for patients and other consumers. A core set of measures increases signal for public and private recognition and payment programs (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.4929">Conway, Mostashari, &amp; Clancy, 2013</a>). When selecting harmonized measures across programs, it becomes possible to compare the provision of care in different settings. For example, if the calculation method of the influenza immunization rate measure is the same in hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings, it is possible to compare the achievement for <abbr tabindex="0" title="&lt;p&gt;The &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;population&lt;/span&gt; is the total group of people of interest for a quality measure, sometimes called the target/initial &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;population&lt;/span&gt;. The measure &lt;span class=&quot;glossify-exclude&quot;&gt;population&lt;/span&gt; is a defined subset appropriate to the measure set not excluded from the individual measure.&lt;/p&gt; " class="glossify-tooltip-tip" lang="en">population</abbr> health across the multiple settings. If there is harmonization of functional status measurement and alignment of measure use across programs, it would be possible to compare gains across the continuum of care. Consumers and payers are enabled to choose measures based on similar calculations. In these and other ways, harmonization promotes</p><ul><li>comparisons of population health outcomes</li><li>coordination across settings in the continuum of care</li><li>clearer choices for consumers and payers</li></ul><dl class="ckeditor-accordion"><dt>Core Quality Measures Collaborative</dt><dd><p>The <a href="https://p4qm.org/CQMC/">Core Quality Measures Collaborative</a> (CQMC) is a public-private partnership between Americas Health Insurance Plans and CMS. The membership is comprised of more than 70 organizations, including health insurance providers, primary care and specialty societies, consumer and employer groups, and other quality collaboratives. The aims of the CQMC are to&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Identify high-value, high-impact, evidenced-based measures promoting better patient outcomes and providing useful information for improvement, decision-making, and payment.</li><li>Align measures across public and private payers to achieve congruence in the measures used for quality improvement, transparency, and payment purposes.</li><li>Reduce the burden of quality measurement by eliminating low-value metrics, redundancies, and inconsistencies in measure specifications and quality measure reporting requirements across payors.<br>The CQMC has core sets of quality measures in multiple categories.</li></ul></dd></dl></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="views-element-container block-last-updated block block-views block-views-blocknode-last-updated-block-1" id="block-views-block-node-last-updated-block-1">
<div><div class="node-last-updated js-view-dom-id-577c07a370b53a4bdd46a23edcf6ac16e153cd6f7032b7200b8c36fbb8abe163">
<div class="views-row"><span class="views-field views-field-changed"><strong class="views-label views-label-changed">Last Updated: </strong><span class="field-content"><time datetime="2024-05-23T14:19:12-04:00">May 2024</time>
</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<aside
class="usa-layout-docs__sidenav desktop:grid-col-2 layout-sidebar-first">
<ul class="usa-sidenav">
<li class="usa-sidenav__item first">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/overview">
<span>
Overview
</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-sidenav__item active active-trail">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/alignment" class="usa-current">
<span>
Measure Harmonization and Alignment
</span>
</a>
</li>
<li class="usa-sidenav__item last">
<a href="/measure-lifecycle/measure-specification/measure-harmonization/when-to-consider">
<span>
When to Consider Measure Harmonization
</span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</aside>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</main>
<footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--slim">
<div class="grid-container usa-footer__return-to-top">
<a href="#">Return to top</a>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer__secondary-section">
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div
class="usa-footer__logo grid-row mobile-lg:grid-col-6 mobile-lg:grid-gap-2">
<div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto">
<img class="usa-footer__logo-img"
src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/img/CMS-Logo-White_LG.svg"
alt="Agency logo">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div class="grid-col-fill">
<div>
<nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-mms-hcd-footer-menu" id="block-mms-hcd-footer">
<h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-mms-hcd-footer-menu">Footer menu</h2>
<hr />
<ul class="usa-unstyled--list">
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://cmit.cms.gov/cmit/#/MeasureInventory">CMS Measures Inventory Tool (CMIT)</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://cmsmerit.cms.gov/merit/#/login">CMS MUC Entry/Review Information Tool (MERIT)</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="/contact-us">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://ecqi.healthit.gov">eCQI Resource Center</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://cmit.cms.gov/cmit/#/EnvironmentalScan">Environmental Scan Support Tool</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="/glossary">Glossary</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/QualityInitiativesGenInfo/CMS-Quality-Strategy">National Quality Strategy</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="/news-events/all">News &amp; Events</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://qualitynet.cms.gov/">QualityNet</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://qpp.cms.gov/">Quality Payment Program</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="/sitemap">Sitemap</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="http://www.hhs.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a>
</li>
<li class="grid-col-3 tablet:grid-col-auto usa-footer__primary-content">
<a class="usa-footer__primary-link" href="http://www.hhs.gov/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer__primary-section">
<div class="usa-footer__primary-content">
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
</div>
</div>
<div class="grid-container">
<div class="grid-row grid-gap">
<div class="grid-col-fill">
<div>
<div id="block-footerinfoblock" class="block--type-basic block block-block-content block-block-contentb9778ac6-f444-4bdd-b839-d97f62a0477c">
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Looking for U.S. government information and services? <strong>Visit <a href="https://CMS.gov">CMS.gov</a>, <a href="https://HHS.gov">HHS.gov</a>, <a href="https://USA.gov">USA.gov</a></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
</div>
<script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/466","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJxNjuEOwiAMhF-ojsQXIowWJaOUUBD16UXjlv1prl_uevUbYWxSrfNeKkbJ5lBLqJIbZYQJyGDtxaUlSGVANaj26iXZkHpEoGdLMW-76b_CLYlqDC-zC1uk9ALMau8ep13KWzIdIMxGN0iFT6w6piF1O8i8trp08cJlhnNT0Jc2YrM6Jeg65nNfeYo-Ig01v7mwYE_0AWHfYm4","theme":"mms_hcd","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"\/search":true},"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":true,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":true,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":[]}},"ckeditorAccordion":{"accordionStyle":{"collapseAll":1,"keepRowsOpen":1,"animateAccordionOpenAndClose":1,"openTabsWithHash":1}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"7a36479c1afa2440c45a2d13eed05d057c9f4bd7e8c9c9921c5890ee941d0d7d"}}</script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/version-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/data-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/disable-selection-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/form-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/jquery-patch-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/scroll-parent-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/unique-id-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/focusable-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/ie-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/keycode-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/plugin-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/safe-active-element-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/safe-blur-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widget-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/labels-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/controlgroup-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/form-reset-mixin-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/mouse-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/checkboxradio-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/draggable-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/resizable-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/button-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery.ui/ui/widgets/dialog-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/tabbable/index.umd.min.js?v=6.2.0"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/tua-body-scroll-lock/tua-bsl.umd.min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/progress.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/loadjs/loadjs.min.js?v=4.2.0"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/debounce.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/announce.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/message.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/ajax.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/displace.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/jquery.tabbable.shim.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/position.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/dialog/dialog.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/dialog/dialog.position.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/dialog/dialog.jquery-ui.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/modules/ckeditor5/js/ckeditor5.dialog.fix.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/dialog/dialog.ajax.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/js/uswds.min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/js/jquery.matchHeight-min.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/js/file_extensions.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/themes/mms_hcd/assets/js/global.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/55e30f47c3.js"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/js/accordion.frontend.min.js?ss7w0y"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/glossify/js/glossify_popup.js?v=1.x"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/form.js?v=10.2.7"></script>
</body>
</html>