ESRD Quality Incentive Program - Measuring Quality
Guidance for the measures, scoring methodologies, and payment-reduction ranges applicable to each Payment Year (PY).
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: July 28, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) develops rules that specify the measures, scoring methodologies, and payment-reduction ranges applicable to each Payment Year (PY). For more information on the rules and regulations for the End Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program (ESRD QIP), please visit the Laws & Regulations page. Measures for the PY 2026 ESRD QIP are in the tables below:
Table 1: PY 2026 Clinical Care Measure Domain
| Measures: |
| Kt/V Dialysis Adequacy (Comprehensive) |
| Standardized Transfusion Ratio (STrR) |
Vascular Access Type: Hemodialysis Vascular Access:
|
Table 2: PY 2026 Care Coordination Measure Domain
| Measures |
| Standardized Readmission Ratio (SRR) |
| Standardized Hospitalization Ratio (SHR) |
| Percentage of Prevalent Patients Waitlisted (PPPW) |
| Clinical Depression Screening and Follow-Up |
Table 3: PY 2026 Safety Measure Domain
| Measures |
| National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Blood Stream Infection (BSI) in Hemodialysis Patients |
Table 4: PY 2026 Patient and Family Engagement Domain
| Measures |
| In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (ICH CAHPS) Survey |
Table 5: PY 2026 Reporting Measure Domain Measure(s)
| Measures |
| Hypercalcemia |
| NHSN Dialysis Event Reporting |
| Medication Reconciliation (MedRec) |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) |
| Facility Commitment to Health Equity |
CMS ESRD Measures Manual
The CMS ESRD Measures Manual (Manual) contains detailed specifications on the ESRD QIP measures and dialysis facility measures reflected in the Care Compare website. The Manual is designed to provide transparent and detailed descriptions of how ESRD QIP and Care Compare measures are calculated, offering the public a comprehensive understanding of how CMS evaluates the quality of care provided by dialysis facilities. Links to the Manuals and other supporting documents are listed below:
HHS is committed to making its websites and documents accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. We are in the process of retroactively making some documents accessible. If you need assistance accessing an accessible version of this document, please reach out to the guidance@hhs.gov.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.