Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
NQF Endorsement Status Not Endorsed
NQF ID 9999
Measure Type Process
Measure Content Last Updated 2020-01-13
Info As Of Not Available
Properties
Description Percentage of the following patients - all considered at high risk of
cardiovascular events - who were prescribed or were on statin therapy during
the measurement period:
*Adults aged >= 21 years who were previously diagnosed with or currently
have an active diagnosis of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD); OR
*Adults aged >= 21 years who have ever had a fasting or direct low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level >= 190 mg/dL or were previously
diagnosed with or currently have an active diagnosis of familial or pure
hypercholesterolemia; OR
*Adults aged 40-75 years with a diagnosis of diabetes with a fasting or direct
LDL-C level of 70-189 mg/dL
Numerator Patients who are actively using or who receive an order (prescription) for statin
therapy at any point during the measurement period
Denominator Submission Criteria 1) Patients aged >= 21 years at the beginning of the
measurement period with clinical ASCVD diagnosis, OR
Submission Criteria 2) Patients aged >=21 years at the beginning of the
measurement period who have ever had a fasting or direct laboratory result of
LDL-C >= 190 mg/dL or were previously diagnosed with or currently have an
active diagnosis of familial or pure hypercholesterolemia, OR
Submission Criteria 3) Patients aged 40 to 75 years at the beginning of the
measurement period with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and with an LDL-C result
of 70-189 mg/dL recorded as the highest fasting or direct laboratory test result
in the measurement year or during the two years prior to the beginning of the
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 1
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
measurement period
Denominator Exclusions Denominator Exclusion(s):
Patients who have a diagnosis of pregnancy
Patients who are breastfeeding
Patients who have a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis
Denominator Exception(s):
Documentation of medical reason(s) for not currently being a statin therapy
user or receive an order (prescription) for statin therapy (e.g., patient with
adverse effect, allergy or intolerance to statin medication therapy, patients who
are receiving palliative or hospice care, patients with active liver disease or
hepatic disease or insufficiency, and patients with end stage renal disease
(ESRD)
Rationale "Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United
States, causing approximately 1 of every 7 deaths in the United States in 2011.
In 2011, stroke caused approximately 1 of every 20 deaths in the United States
and the estimated annual costs for CVD and stroke were $320.1 billion,
including $195.6 billion in direct costs (hospital services, physicians and other
professionals, prescribed medications, home health care, and other medical
durables) and $124.5 billion in indirect costs from lost future productivity
(cardiovascular and stroke premature deaths). CVD costs more than any other
diagnostic group" (Mozaffarian et al., 2015).
Data collected between 2009 and 2012 indicates that more than 100 million
U.S. adults, 20 years or older, had total cholesterol levels equal to 200 mg/dL
or more, while almost 31 million had levels 240 mg/dL or more (Mozaffarian et
al., 2015). Elevated blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for CVD and statin
therapy has been associated with a reduced risk of CVD. Numerous
randomized trials have demonstrated that treatment with a statin reduces LDL-
C, and reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events by approximately 20
percent (Ference, 2015).
In 2013, guidelines on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce
atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults were published (see Stone et al.,
2013 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 2
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults: a Report of the American
College of Cardiology [ACC]/American Heart Association [AHA] Task Force on
Practice Guidelines). This guideline was published by an Expert Panel, which
synthesized evidence from randomized controlled trials to identify people most
likely to benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy. The ACC/AHA Guideline
recommendations are intended to provide a strong evidence-based foundation
for the treatment of blood cholesterol for the primary and secondary prevention
and treatment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) in adult
men and women (21 years of age or older). The document concludes the
addition of statin therapy reduces the risk of ASCVD among high-risk
individuals, defined as follows: individuals with clinical ASCVD, with LDL-C >=
190 mg/dL, or with diabetes and LDL-C 70-189 mg/dL (Stone et al., 2013).
However, one study that surveyed U.S. cardiovascular practices participating
in the PINNACLE registry, found that 32.4 percent of patients with an indication
for statins under the 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines were not currently
receiving them (Maddox et al., 2014). Although, systematic evidence review
found that statins are safe drugs with low incidence of conditions or diseases
attributable to statin use (Law et al., 2006). Overall, the Statin Safety Expert
Panel that participated in an NLA Statin Safety Task Force meeting in October
2013 reaffirms the general safety of statin therapy. The panel members
concluded that for most patients requiring statin therapy, the potential benefits
of statin therapy outweigh the potential risks. In general terms, the benefits of
statins to prevent non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, and
CVD mortality, far outweighs any potential harm related to the drug (Jacobson,
2014).
Evidence Not Available
Developer/Steward
Steward Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Contact Not Available
Measure Developer Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 3
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Development Stage Fully Developed
Characteristics
Measure Type Process
Meaningful Measure Area Management of Chronic Conditions
Healthcare Priority Promote Effective Prevention & Treatment of Chronic Disease
eCQM Spec Available Not Available
NQF Endorsement Status Not Endorsed
NQF ID 9999
Last NQF Update Not Available
Target Population Age 21+
Target Population Age (High) 75
Target Population Age (Low) 21
Reporting Level Not Available
Conditions Cardiovascular Disease
Subconditions Not Available
Care Settings Not Available
Groups
Core Measure Set Not Available
Measure Group Group Identifier
qpp quality id
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 4
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Measure Group Group Identifier
Cardiovascular Prevention Measures
Group
PQRS
eCQM
PQRS 438
PREV
eCQM CMS347v1
PREV 13
eCQM CMS347v2
ACO 13
qpp quality id #438
PQRS #438
ACO 42
eCQM CMS 347v3
CMS WI
ACO
qpp quality id 438
Measure Links
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 5
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Measure Program: Physician Feedback/Quality Resource Use Report
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources Registry
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Effective Clinical Care
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
Current Measure Status
Status: Removed
Effective Date 2018-10-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Historical Statuses
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2018-01-01
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 6
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2015-11-16
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Measure Program: Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program for Eligible
Professionals
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources CMS Web Interface; EHR; Registry; Electronic Clinical Data
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Effective Clinical Care
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-
Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/2019ProgramRequirementsMedicaid.html
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 7
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Current Measure Status
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2018-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-08-14/pdf/2017-16434.pdf
Upcoming Status Changes
Status: Removed
Effective Date 2022-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/15/2019-24086/medicare-
program-cy-2020-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-
schedule-and-other
Historical Statuses
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2017-08-14
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-08-14/pdf/2017-16434.pdf
Measure Program: Medicare Shared Savings Program
Info As Of Not Available
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 8
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources GPRO Web Interface; CMS Web Interface
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Population Health and Prevention
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/sharedsavingsprogram/about
Current Measure Status
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2016-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#h-348
Historical Statuses
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2015-11-16
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 9
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#h-348
Status: Considered
Effective Date 2014-12-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-
Instruments/QualityMeasures/Downloads/MAP-2014-2015.zip
Other Data Name Value
MUC ID X3729
Status: Reference
Effective Date 1900-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-
Payment/sharedsavingsprogram/index.html?redirect=/sharedsavingsprogram/
Measure Program: Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Program
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources CMS Web Interface; EHR; Registry; Electronic Clinical Data
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Effective Clinical Care
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 10
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Measure Program Links
Current Measure Status
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2018-10-01
Comments Not Available
Historical Statuses
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2016-11-04
Comments Not Available
Status: Proposed
Effective Date 2016-05-09
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/05/09/2016-10032/medicare-
program-merit-based-incentive-payment-system-mips-and-alternative-
payment-model-apm#p-2773
Status: Reference
Effective Date 1900-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/11/13/2014-26183/medicare-
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 11
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-
clinical-laboratory#p-1974
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/04/2016-25240/medicare-
program-merit-based-incentive-payment-system-mips-and-alternative-
payment-model-apm
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/05/09/2016-10032/medicare-
program-merit-based-incentive-payment-system-mips-and-alternative-
payment-model-apm#p-2775
Measure Program: Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources Registry
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Effective Clinical Care
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
Current Measure Status
Status: Removed
Effective Date 2018-10-01
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 12
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Historical Statuses
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2016-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2015-11-16
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Measure Program: Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources Registry
Purposes Not Available
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 13
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Quality Domain Effective Clinical Care
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
Current Measure Status
Status: Removed
Effective Date 2018-10-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Historical Statuses
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2018-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Status: Finalized
Effective Date 2015-11-16
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 14
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Disease
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/11/16/2015-28005/medicare-
program-revisions-to-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-
other-revisions#p-2570
Measure Program: Million Hearts
Info As Of Not Available
Program / Model Notes
Data Sources Electronic Clinical Data
Purposes Not Available
Quality Domain Not Available
Reporting Frequency Not Available
Impacts Payment Not Available
Measure Program Links
Current Measure Status
Status: Implemented
Effective Date 2018-01-01
Comments Not Available
Status Links https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/files/mh_cqm.pdf
Report Generated: Tue Mar 03 13:42:17 EST 2020 | Page 15
