Asthma Medication Ratio (AMR)

What Is the Measure?

The measure looks at the percentage of patients 5 to 64 years of age who were identified as having persistent asthma and had a ratio of controller medications to total asthma medications of 0.50 or greater during the measurement year.

Asthma is a treatable, manageable, condition that affects more than 25 million people in the United States. The prevalence and cost of asthma have increased over the past decade, demonstrating the need for better access to care and medication. Appropriate medication management for patients with asthma could reduce the need for rescue medication—as well as the costs associated with ER visits, inpatient admissions and missed days of work or school.

Documentation

Identify members as having persistent asthma who met at least one of the following criteria during both the measurement year and the year prior to the measurement year. Criteria need not be the same across both years.

• At least one ED visit with a principal diagnosis of Asthma

• At least one acute inpatient encounter, with a principal diagnosis of asthma without telehealth

• At least one acute inpatient discharge with a principal diagnosis of asthma (Asthma Value Set) on the discharge claim

• At least four outpatient visits, observation visits, telephone visits or e-visits or virtual check-ins, on different dates of service, with any diagnosis of asthma and at least two asthma medication dispensing events for any controller or reliever medication

• At least four asthma medication dispensing events for any controller or reliever medication

The ratio for the AMR measure is calculated by totaling the units of Controller Medications and dividing into the total of all Asthma Medications for the year.

Units of medications defined as an amount lasting 30 days or less, as one medication unit. One medication unit equals one inhaler canister, one injection, one infusion, or a 30-day or less supply of an oral medication.

Exclusions

• Emphysema

• COPD

• Obstructive chronic bronchitis

• Chronic respiratory conditions due to fumes or vapors

• Cystic fibrosis

• Acute respiratory failure

• No asthma controller or reliever medications dispensed during the measurement year

• Hospice care during the measurement year

Common Errors

• Not listing all competing or comorbid diagnosis codes on claim when ordering asthma medications and submitting documentation which could disqualify encounter allowing encounter to be improperly counted.

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How to Improve Score

• Develop asthma action plans with patients and education on reduction of asthma triggers.

• Collaborate with the patient and customize the treatment to meet health goals.

• Provide simple and clear instructions as low health literacy can impact a patient’s health.

• Simplify treatment regimen.

• Involve family in treatment planning if patient needs additional support.

• Advise patients to incorporate inhalers into daily routine.

• Offer assistance with utilizing inhalers when first prescribed.

• Educate on potential side effects of controller medications and how to manage side effects.

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References:

1. NCQA. HEDIS 2022 Technical Specifications for Health Plans, Volume 2, Washington, D.C., 2022.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2011. “CDC Vital Signs: Asthma in the US.” http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2011-05-vitalsigns.pdf

3. Geisinger Health Plan. (2022). HEDIS Information Guide 2022. Scranton; Geisinger Health Plan.

4. Aetna of Pennsylvania. (2020). Asthma Medication Ratio (AMR). Aetnabetterhealth.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/pennsylvania/providers

Additional Measures: Asthma Medication Ration (AMR)