The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the Physician Compare preview period through Monday, January 7, 2019, to allow more time for physicians to review their 2017 Quality Payment Program (QPP) performance information before it is publicly reported on the Physician Compare website.

The Affordable Care Act required CMS to create a website that would allow consumers to search for and compare physicians and other health care professionals who provide Medicare services. That site—the "Physician Compare" website, initially launched in 2010—provides contact information, specialties and clinical training, hospital affiliations, and group practice information.

In 2014, the website also began phasing in physician quality data from the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), including the Group Practice Reporting Option, the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program and the Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Program.

Physicians can access the secured measure preview through the QPP website.

To learn more about the 2017 QPP performance information and 2016 clinician utilization data that are available for preview, visit the Physician Compare Initiative page,

If you have any questions about Physician Compare, public reporting or the 30-day preview period, please contact CMS at physiciancompare@westat.com.