2026 #421 MIPS Measure Appropriate Assessment of Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filters for Removal

2026 COLLECTION TYPE:

MERIT-BASED INCENTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM (MIPS) CLINICAL QUALITY MEASURE (CQM)

‌MEASURE TYPE: Process

‌Description:

Percentage of patients in whom a retrievable IVC filter is placed who, within 3 months post-placement, have a documented assessment for the appropriateness of continued filtration, device removal, or the inability to contact the patient with at least two attempts.

Instructions:

Reporting Frequency:
This measure is to be submitted each time a denominator eligible procedure as defined in the denominator criteria is performed.

Intent and Clinician Applicability:
This measure is intended to reflect the quality of services provided for patients who have undergone an IVC filter procedure. This measure may be submitted by Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who perform the quality actions as defined by the numerator based on the services provided and the measure-specific denominator coding.

Measure Strata and Performance Rates:
This measure contains one strata defined by a single submission criteria.
This measure produces a single performance rate.

Implementation Considerations:
For the purposes of MIPS implementation, this procedure measure is submitted each time a procedure is performed during the performance period. There is no diagnosis associated with this measure. Include only patients that have IVC filter placement through September 30 of the performance period. This will allow the evaluation of at least 90 days of IVC filter removal within the performance period.

Telehealth:
NOT TELEHEALTH ELIGIBLE: This measure is not appropriate for nor applicable to the telehealth setting. This measure is procedure based and therefore doesn’t allow for the denominator criteria to be conducted via telehealth. It would be appropriate to remove these patients from the denominator eligible patient population. Telehealth eligibility is at the measure level for inclusion within the denominator eligible patient population and based on the measure specification definitions which are independent of changes to coding and/or billing practices.

‌Measure Submission :

The quality data codes listed do not need to be submitted by MIPS eligible clinicians, groups, or third party intermediaries that utilize this collection type for submissions; however, these codes may be submitted for those third party intermediaries that utilize Medicare Part B claims data. The coding provided to identify the measure criteria:
Denominator or Numerator, may be an example of coding that could be used to identify patients that meet the intent of this clinical topic. When implementing this measure, please refer to the ‘Reference Coding’ section to determine if other codes or code languages that meet the intent of the criteria may also be used within the medical record to identify and/or assess patients. For more information regarding Application Programming Interface (API), please refer to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website

‌Denominator:

All patients who have a retrievable IVC filter placed with the intent for potential removal at time of placement

Denominator Criteria (Eligible Cases):

All patients, regardless of age

AND

Patient procedure during the performance period (CPT): 37191

AND

Intent for Potential Removal at Time of Placement: G9539

AND

Patient alive 3 Months Post Procedure: G9540

‌Numerator:

Number of patients that have appropriate IVC filter follow-up

Definition:

Appropriate IVC Filter follow-up – For the purposes of this measure, the appropriate follow-up would include:

1. – Filter removed OR;
2. – Documentation of re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal OR;
3. – Documentation of at least two attempts to reach the patient to arrange a clinical re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal

NUMERATOR NOTE: The procedure for removal of an intravascular filter from the vena cava (CPT 37193) within three months would be considered performance met.

Numerator Options:

Performance Met: Filter removed within 3 months of placement (G9541)

OR

Performance Met: Documented re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal within 3 months of placement (G9542)

OR

Performance Met: Documentation of at least two attempts to reach the patient to arrange a clinical re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal within 3 months of placement (G9543)

OR

‌Performance Not Met: Patients that do not have the filter removed, documented re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal, or documentation of at least two attempts to reach the patient to arrange a clinical re-assessment for the appropriateness of filter removal within 3 months of placement (G9544)

RATIONALE:

There is a need for increased physician awareness of the potential harms of inappropriate continued inferior vena cava filtration in patients with retrievable filters. Patients with retrievable inferior filters need to be carefully followed for reassessment of the clinical need for continued inferior vena cava filtration, leading to removal of such devices when clinically appropriate. Complexities of our healthcare system, notably the use of inferior vena cava filters in the in-patient setting, followed by transfer of care to physicians in the outpatient setting highlight the importance of patient follow-up for physicians placing retrievable inferior vena cava filters.