PQRI XML Testing

Many folks have asked me about the process for testing PQRI XML files, since they are part of Certification and are required to be submitted to CMS in 2012 as part of Meaningful Use Stage 1.   The inspection for Certification is manual (the testing and certification bodies visually examine the files).   To my knowledge, there are not online tools available for self validation of these files (although it would be a great service to the country to create them).

The PQRI resources I do know about are part of the 4 step qualification process for those who want to serve as qualified PQRI registries on behalf of their participants.

Here is the testing process used by the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative, which acts as the qualified 2011 Physician Quality Reporting System registry for BIDMC's ambulatory submissions.

The Iowa Foundation for Medical Care is the CMS contractor for PQRI testing.

The Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative (MAeHC) worked with the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care (IFMC) as follows:

1.  Self Nomination followed by a phone interview.
2.  Submission of measure calculation process/logic
3.  Submission of data validation strategy/plan
4.  Submission of sample XML

The fourth step required MAeHC to generate sample XML files based on the CMS specification, encrypt the files using CMS approved encryption software, and send them on a DVD-ROM via certified mail to IFMC.

Once this one done, MAeHC sought Individuals Authorized Access to the CMS Computer Services (IACS) accounts to login to the CMS quality data submission site.

In order to get IACS accounts, users must be identity proofed by IFMC/CMS. MAeHC had to submit a list of names with complete contact information of all users who would be authorized to submit registry data to CMS.  Each of them then had to apply for an account via the CMS Application portal and then waited a few days for it to be approved.

Once accounts were approved, each user had to login to the QualityNet portal to ensure the credentials had the proper level of access.  They then were required to submit another set of test files for validation using the online utility to ensure that they complied with any changes that were made in the specifications.

Here's a complete overview of all the CMS requirements for qualification as a PQRI registry.

That's the process.  I hope it helps those organizations seeking to serve as registries submitting PQRI data on behalf of participants to CMS.