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Type:
Hosp Inpt eCQMs - Hospital Inpatient eCQMs
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Resolution: Answered
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Priority:
Moderate
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Component/s: None
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None
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CMS1017v2
Hello,
In CMS 1017, the denominator exclusions require a valid POA indicator for qualifying diagnosis codes, while the numerator allows diagnosis codes with either a valid POA or a null POA. This differs from CMS 826, where POA is required consistently for qualifying diagnosis codes.
We're looking to understand the intent behind this difference and why POA requirements are not handled consistently across the numerator and denominator exclusions in CMS 1017 v2. Allowing null POA values in the numerator may help avoid undercounting when POA data is missing, but it also means "Inpatient Falls" diagnoses could be included in the numerator even if they were present on admission due to the missing POA value. Shouldn't the numerator only evaluate diagnosis codes with a POA of "Not Present On Admission or Documentation Insufficient to Determine, similar to CMS 826?
Can you clarify the rationale for not requiring POA for diagnosis codes in the numerator?