What are benchmarks and how do they apply to Quality scoring?

For quality measures, CMS uses data that was reported in previous years to create performance benchmarks.

Each quality measure is converted into a 10 point scoring system.  Performance on quality measures is broken down into 10 "deciles", with each decile having a value of between 3 and 10 points. A clinician or group's performance on a quality measure will be compared to the performance levels in the national deciles.  Registry measures are compared to registry benchmarks.

A measure can be reliably scored against a benchmark if...

A national benchmark exists

The sufficient case volume has been met (20 or more cases in the report)

At least 70% of possible data for a measure is submitted (data completeness)

Note: If a measure cannot be scored against a benchmark or no benchmark exists, it will automatically receive 3 points as long as it is complete.