What is the ImageGuide Registry?
The ImageGuide Registry is the first cardiovascular registry of its kind, focusing on non-invasive cardiac imaging studies. The primary purpose of the registry is quality improvement, and it provides a fully integrated platform to seamlessly collect data in nuclear and echocardiography labs to measure quality, safety, and efficiency.
What are the benefits to participating in the ImageGuide Registry?
- Gain access to benchmark reports and standardized performance data
- Enhance patient care and improve lab efficiency
- Successfully participate in regulatory programs and avoid negative payment adjustments on Medicare Part B services
- Report on cardiovascular imaging-specific performance measures under MIPS
- Demonstrate appropriate use of non-invasive cardiac imaging tests to payers
What is the cost to participate in the ImageGuide Registry?
For a limited time, the ImageGuide Registry participation is free for ASNC and ASE U.S.-based physician members and is $750/provider annually for nonmembers.
What types of physicians are eligible to participate in the ImageGuide Registry?
Any physician who interprets cardiac imaging studies is eligible to participate in the registry.
Must I enroll 100% of the interpreting physicians in my practice/hospital in the registry?
It is not required that all physicians at a practice/hospital participate; a subset of physicians at a practice/hospital may enroll at any time.
Do I need IRB approval to participate in the ImageGuide Registry?
The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) has confirmed that institutions including practice groups, hospitals, or other clinical care providers, that are providing data to a clinical data registry are not engaging in human subject research thus do not need IRB review and approval. For more information, see the letter from the Physician Clinical Registry Coalition requesting clarifications by OHRP related to the application of the Common Rule to clinical data registries and the OHRP response to this letter.
As an international physician, can I participate in the ImageGuide Registry?
The ImageGuide Registry is only available to physicians practicing in the United States and its territories. In the future, we will consider expanding ImageGuide participation to include international physicians.
Is the ImageGuide Registry a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) for CMS’ Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)?
Yes, the ImageGuide Registry has been approved by CMS as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) for the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 reporting years.
As a QCDR, the ImageGuide Registry allows participating physicians to report on performance measures developed specifically for participating physicians to satisfy reporting requirements under the Quality Category of the Merit-Based Payment System (MIPS). Successful participation in MIPS will allow physicians to avoid an automatic negative payment adjustment on Medicare receivables.
What are the benefits of participation in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)?
Physicians who did not satisfactorily report data on quality measures will be subject to a negative payment adjustment for all services rendered for patients with Medicare Part B Fee for Service (FFS).
Physicians will be subject to payment adjustments based on MIPS participation by the following schedule:
| Perfomance Year | Payment Adjustment Year | Payment Adjustment % |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2019 | -4% |
| 2018 | 2020 | -5% |
| 2019 | 2021 | -7% |
| 2020 | 2022 | -9% |
How many QCDR performance measures are included in the ImageGuide Registry, how many must I submit and what are they?
The ImageGuide Registry offers 16 measures for 2018.
In 2018, physicians are required to submit data on at least 60% of the imaging studies performed on patients regardless of insurance payer (i.e., Medicare and non-Medicare). Physicians are required to report at least six measures. Of the six measures, at least one must be an outcome measure or high-priority measure.
Will I receive a negative payment adjustment on only the imaging studies performed on patients with Medicare Part B, or does the penalty apply to all Medicare Part B services rendered?
The adjustment applies to all Medicare Part B services rendered. For example, a physician who does not successfully participate in MIPS in 2017 will be penalized 4% for all Medicare Part B services rendered in 2019.
How is data submitted and what types of data are being collected in the ImageGuide Registry?
For more information on registry measure performance areas and data submission methods, please view the ImageGuideEcho and ImageGuideNuclear Data Submission pages.