While reviewing the annual updates to the hybrid measures specifications, we noticed that both sex and date of birth (DOB) have been removed.

Are there specific reasons for these changes? We have encountered issues where clients would fall out on sex because they had another option documented in their EHR in previous years. We want to understand the rationale behind these changes so that we can best advise our clients.

Additionally, we are concerned about whether not having these two linking variables will still allow for appropriate linking with claims once received by CMS.