2026 MIPS Top Final Changes Report, Including Quality Measures
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2026 Quality Payment Program (QPP) final rule. The 2,375-page final rule contains many changes that we summarize in our recent blog on Navigating the 2026 QPP Final Rule.
In this blog, we provide an overview of the MIPS Quality measures with finalized changes that are relevant to the specialties we serve. The changes are detailed in our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Dermatology
One dermatology measure has a finalized change for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Modification
- Measure 176: Tuberculosis Screening Prior to First Course of Biologic and/or Immune Response Modifier Therapy
Ophthalmology
Seven ophthalmology measures have finalized changes for 2026 MIPS. One measure has a finalized change that will become effective for 2027 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Removal
- Measure 419: Overuse of Imaging for the Evaluation of Primary Headache
Modification
- Measure 12: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Optic Nerve Evaluation
- Measure 117: Diabetes: Eye Exam
- For 2027: Measure 141: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Reduction of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) by 20% OR Documentation of a Plan of Care
- Measure 191: Cataracts: 20/40 or Better Visual Acuity within 90 Days Following Cataract Surgery
- Measure 389: Cataract Surgery: Difference Between Planned and Final Refraction
- Measure 500: Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Appropriate Examination and Follow-Up
- Measure 501: Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Acute Vitreous Hemorrhage Appropriate Examination and Follow-Up
Orthopedic Surgery
Four orthopedic surgery measures have finalized changes for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Modification
- Measure 357: Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
- Measure 376: Functional Status Assessment for Total Hip Replacement
- Measure 418: Osteoporosis Management in Women Who Had a Fracture
- Measure 480: Risk-Standardized Complication Rate (RSCR) Following Elective Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and/or Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
Otolaryngology
One otolaryngology measure has a finalized change for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Removal
- Measure 419: Overuse of Imaging for the Evaluation of Primary Headache
Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy
One physical therapy and occupational therapy measure has a finalized change for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Modification
- Measure 281: Dementia: Cognitive Assessment
Podiatry
One podiatry measure has a finalized change for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Modification
- Measure 418: Osteoporosis Management in Women Who Had a Fracture
Generally Applicable Measures
11 generally applicable measures (one of which is surgery-specific) have finalized changes for 2026 MIPS. For details, see our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
Removal
- Measure 322: Cardiac Stress Imaging Not Meeting Appropriate Use Criteria: Preoperative Evaluation in Low-Risk Surgery Patients [surgical measure]
- Measure 419: Overuse of Imaging for the Evaluation of Primary Headache
- Measure 487: Screening for Social Drivers of Health
- Measure 498: Connection to Community Service Provider
- Measure 508: Adult COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Modification
- Measure 130: Documentation of Current Medications in the Medical Record
- Measure 134: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Depression and Follow-Up Plan
- Measure 374: Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist Report
- Measure 484: Clinician and Clinician Group Risk-Standardized Hospital Admission Rates for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC)
- Measure 493: Adult Immunization Status
- Measure 503: Gains in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) Scores at 12 Months
Next Steps
- Check out our Top 2026 MIPS Final Changes Report.
- Share this information with your colleagues.
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- If you are an Anatomy IT client, contact your MIPS Expert if you have any questions.
- If you are not an Anatomy IT client, contact us to learn more about our MIPS Success Plan and to reap the rewards of our combined decades of experience.
If you have any questions on this, let us know!
Written By: Sarrah Hakim, MHSA
About the Author: Sarrah is a Manager of Health Policy at Anatomy IT.
