AMA, Covisint team up to help physicians get bonus money

The American Medical Association announced that it is collaborating with Covisint, a subsidiary of Detroit-based Compuware Corp., to help doctors receive incentive payments from the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative.

The Covisint DocSite PQRI Web application is designed to assist physicians with submitting data needed for 2010 PQRI reporting. The application will be offered at a discounted rate for AMA members.

PQRI is a voluntary incentive program offered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that rewards physicians for reporting quality outcomes. Physicians can earn up to 1.5% of their Medicare fees for the year by reporting quality information to the government. The Web-based DocSite application allows physicians to electronically submit PQRI data directly to CMS.

Covisint acquired DocSite, a Raleigh, N.C.-based clinical decision support and quality performance management company, in 2010.

"Covisint DocSite helps physicians easily apply for PQRI incentive payments by cutting through administrative and technological complexity," said AMA Senior Vice President Bob Musacchio. "Covisint DocSite is a leader in helping physicians submit PQRI data, and our collaboration is another AMA effort to assist physicians in their everyday practices."

This isn't the first time the AMA and Covisint have partnered. The two came together in April 2009 to build a Web-based platform called Amagine, where physicians can access multiple applications through a single log-in portal. Amagine is expected to launch nationally later in 2011. The project is being tested in Michigan with cooperation from the Michigan State Medical Society. The AMA has selected numerous other technology partners that will make their systems available for purchase and use on the portal.

Physicians interested in learning more about Covisint DocSite PQRI or using it to submit their PQRI data can visit the DocSite website (link).