Physicians and other providers have reported biographical errors on Medicare's Physician Compare website, leading some to question the accuracy of the site's information and express concern that it may not provide reliable comparisons between providers, according to an American Medical News report.
The health reform law required CMS to offer a website for patients to access physician biographical information by 2011 and expand the site to include physician quality performance information by 2013. Physician Compare was launched on Dec. 30, 2010, and currently displays information including physician name, practice location, phone number, Medicare participation status, gender and foreign languages spoken.
When the American Medical Association recently asked physicians to provide feedback on the site, physician practices across the country reported that information on their providers was incorrect or missing. Common errors included misspelled names, inclusion of retired physicians and incorrect Medicare participation status. Rodney Peele, assistant director of regulatory policy and outreach at the American Optometry Association, said some optometrists participating in Medicare who had complete enrollment records in the CMS database were not included on the Physician Compare site.
Some physicians believe that inaccurate or missing information on Physician Compare may disadvantage affected physicians, as patients will not be able to reach them or will mistakenly believe they are not participating in Medicare. According to the report, CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD, said the tool will eventually provide reliable quality information on physicians just as Hospital Compare does for hospitals.
Read the American Medical News report on Physician Compare.
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The health reform law required CMS to offer a website for patients to access physician biographical information by 2011 and expand the site to include physician quality performance information by 2013. Physician Compare was launched on Dec. 30, 2010, and currently displays information including physician name, practice location, phone number, Medicare participation status, gender and foreign languages spoken.
When the American Medical Association recently asked physicians to provide feedback on the site, physician practices across the country reported that information on their providers was incorrect or missing. Common errors included misspelled names, inclusion of retired physicians and incorrect Medicare participation status. Rodney Peele, assistant director of regulatory policy and outreach at the American Optometry Association, said some optometrists participating in Medicare who had complete enrollment records in the CMS database were not included on the Physician Compare site.
Some physicians believe that inaccurate or missing information on Physician Compare may disadvantage affected physicians, as patients will not be able to reach them or will mistakenly believe they are not participating in Medicare. According to the report, CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD, said the tool will eventually provide reliable quality information on physicians just as Hospital Compare does for hospitals.
Read the American Medical News report on Physician Compare.
Related Articles on Physician Data:
95% of Consumers Want Physicians to Maintain Board Certification
Medical Directorship Compensation Varies Based on Specialty
Survey: 45% of Physicians Expect Higher Salaries With Hospital Employment