Who is eligible for MIPS 006?

All patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of CAD seen within a 12-month period.

What codes do I submit for MIPS 006: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Antiplatelet Therapy?

Submission codes: 4086F (Aspirin or clopidogrel prescribed or currently being taken); 4086F with 8P (Aspirin or clopidogrel was not prescribed, reason not otherwise specified)

Is MIPS 006 a topped-out measure?

Yes, MIPS 006 is currently topped out, which means most clinicians perform well on this measure and it may be subject to a 7-point scoring cap.

Measure ID: MIPS 006|Cardiology|2026 Performance Year

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Antiplatelet Therapy

Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) seen within a 12-month period who were prescribed aspirin or clopidogrel.

ProcessCardiologyAppropriate Treatment

Last updated: January 15, 2026

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Measure Specification

Denominator (Eligible Population)

Patients aged ≥ 18 years on date of encounter

ANDDiagnosis for coronary artery disease on date of encounter

ANDPatient encounter during the performance period

ORDenominator Exception: Documentation of medical reason(s) for not prescribing aspirin or clopidogrel (e.g., allergy, intolerance, receiving other thienopyridine therapy, receiving warfarin therapy, bleeding coagulation disorders, other medical reasons) (4086F with 1P)

ORDenominator Exception: Documentation of patient reason(s) for not prescribing aspirin or clopidogrel (e.g., patient declined, other patient reasons) (4086F with 2P)

ORPerformance Not Met: Aspirin or clopidogrel was not prescribed, reason not otherwise specified (4086F with 8P)

Denominator Exclusions

None

Numerator

Patients who were prescribed aspirin or clopidogrel.

Submission Codes (QDCs)

✓ Performance Met

4086FAspirin or clopidogrel prescribed or currently being taken

✗ Performance Not Met

4086F with 8PAspirin or clopidogrel was not prescribed, reason not otherwise specified

Denominator Exceptions

Documentation of medical reason(s) for not prescribing aspirin or clopidogrel (e.g., allergy, intolerance, receiving other thienopyridine therapy, receiving warfarin therapy, bleeding coagulation disorders, other medical reasons) (4086F with 1P)

Documentation of patient reason(s) for not prescribing aspirin or clopidogrel (e.g., patient declined, other patient reasons) (4086F with 2P)

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VBCA Insights

💡Why This Measure Matters

This measure checks whether patients with coronary artery disease are on blood thinners like aspirin or clopidogrel to prevent heart attacks and strokes. These antiplatelet drugs reduce cardiovascular events significantly in CAD patients, making them a cornerstone of prevention. Prescribe aspirin or clopidogrel unless there's a documented contraindication, and document the medication in the active list. Regular medication reconciliation ensures no gaps in therapy.

📖Clinical Rationale

Use of antiplatelet therapy has shown to reduce the occurrence of vascular events in patients with CAD, including myocardial infarction and death.

📝Clinical Recommendations

The following evidence statements are quoted verbatim from the referenced clinical guidelines. 2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease (SIHD) (ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS, 2012) ANTIPLATELET THERAPY Treatment with aspirin 75 to 162 mg daily should be continued indefinitely in the absence of contraindications in patients with SIHD.

(Class I Recommendation, Level of Evidence: A) Treatment with clopidogrel is reasonable when aspirin is contraindicated in patients with SIHD.

📋Implementation Notes

This measure contains one strata defined by a single submission criteria. This measure produces a single performance rate. For the purposes of MIPS implementation, this patient-process measure is submitted a minimum of once per patient during the performance period. The most advantageous quality data code will be used if the measure is submitted more than once.

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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Antiplatelet Therapy

Measure Specification

Denominator (Eligible Population)

Denominator Exclusions

Numerator

Submission Codes (QDCs)

Denominator Exceptions

🧮MIPS Score Simulator

💡Why This Measure Matters

📖Clinical Rationale

📝Clinical Recommendations

📋Implementation Notes

Measure Details

Specialty Sets

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Risk-Adjusted Operative Mortality for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Appropriate Workup Prior to Endometrial Ablation

Uterine Artery Embolization Technique: Documentation of Angiographic Endpoints

Official Resources

Report this measure through VBCA