Question
How can audiologists stay updated about PQRI - i.e. how can we find out when new codes or measures are added?
Answer
The Audiology Quality Consortium (AQC) is made up of 10 organizations: Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA);Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology;American Academy of Audiology (AAA);American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology;American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA);Association of VA Audiologists;Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies;Educational Audiology Association;Military Audiology Association (MAA);National Hearing Conservation Association.
The purpose of the AQC in meeting in 2008 and 2009 was to engage the profession of audiology with developing quality outcome measures and to become involved with the PQRI. One of the goals of the AQC is to communicate up-to-date, accurate and consistent information to the profession. To that end, the AQC has developed an FAQ document, a podcast, a course at AudiologyOnline, a step-by-step guide, and other materials to support audiologists with PQRI. PQRI information is available to members through each of the organizations in the AQC, and through the websites of these AQC member organizations: ADA, AAA, ASHA and MAA. CMS also has information on its website, www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri
This Ask the Expert was taken from the recorded course, An Audiologist's Guide to the Physician's Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), course #15289. To view the recorded course, register here.
Kim Cavitt, Au.D. is the owner of her own Audiology consulting firm, Audiology Resources, Inc. Dr. Cavitt represents ADA on the Audiology Quality Consortium (AQC).
Robert C. Fifer, Ph.D. is Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami. Dr. Fifer represents ASHA on the Audiology Quality Consortium (AQC).
