The CMS is seeking information on how clinical quality measure data that physicians are already reporting to medical boards, specialty societies and other nonfederal programs can be used to meet requirements of its Physician Quality Reporting System and its electronic health record incentive program.

“We are seeking input on how alignment of certain requirements present in both federal and nonfederal CQM reporting programs could reduce the burden for eligible professionals and accelerate quality improvement,” a CMS request for information stated (PDF). “In what ways are these reporting requirements duplicative and can these reporting programs be integrated to reduce reporting burden on eligible professionals?”

The RFI is scheduled to run in the Feb. 7 edition of the Federal Register. Interested parties will have 60 days to submit comment.

In particular, it's noted in the RFI that the CMS is seeking ways to align reporting requirements for the American Board of Medical Specialties' Maintenance of Certification program. Aligning of requirements has long been advocated by groups such as the MGMA-ACMPE.

At the organization's 2011 annual conference, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, national coordinator for health information technology, concurred and said that “Every new regulation is an opportunity to harmonize a bit more.” He added that failure to do so is a lost opportunity “to focus the message.”