Who is eligible for MIPS 320?

All patients aged 45 to 75 years of age receiving a screening colonoscopy without biopsy or polypectomy. Denominator Instructions: MIPS eligible clinicians who indicate that the colonoscopy procedure is incomplete or was discontinued should use the procedure number and the addition (as appropriate) of modifier 52, 53, 73, or 74. Patients who have a coded colonoscopy procedure that has a modifier 52, 53, 73, or 74 will not qualify for inclusion into this measure.

Is MIPS 320 the same as MIPS 320?

Yes. CMS uses zero-padded three-digit Quality IDs (320) in official specifications, while clinicians often search for MIPS 320 or Quality ID 320 without the leading zero. Both refer to the same 2026 MIPS quality measure reported through the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

What is the NQF number for MIPS Measure 320?

MIPS Measure 320 is associated with CBE/NQF number 658. It can be reported through the Quality Payment Program (QPP) as a MIPS Clinical Quality Measure (CQM).

How do I report MIPS Measure 320 in 2026?

MIPS Measure 320 (Quality ID 320) is reported through the Quality Payment Program (QPP) as a MIPS Clinical Quality Measure (CQM) via qualified registry, or Medicare Part B claims where applicable.

Is MIPS 320 a topped-out measure?

Yes, MIPS 320 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 320|Colorectal Cancer|2026 Performance Year

2026 MIPS Measure #320: Appropriate Follow-Up Interval for Normal Colonoscopy in Average Risk Patients

Percentage of patients aged 45 to 75 years of age receiving a screening colonoscopy without biopsy or polypectomy who had a recommended follow-up interval of 10 years for repeat colonoscopy documented in their colonoscopy report.

Process – High PriorityColorectal CancerPreventive Care

Measure ID:MIPS 320 (Quality ID 320)

CBE:658

Collection:MIPS CQM, Part B Claims

Topped Out:Yes

View CMS Spec ↗

Measure Specification

Eligible Population

Patients aged 45 to 75 on date of encounter

ANDPatient undergoing screening for malignant neoplasm of colon

ANDPatient procedure during the performance period

WITHOUTModifiers: 52, 53, 73, or 74

Exclusions

None

Numerator

Patients who had recommended follow-up interval of 10 years for repeat colonoscopy documented in their colonoscopy report. _NUMERATOR NOTE:_ To meet the numerator, patients with a negative screening colonoscopy should have documentation that they received counseling or instruction to have a follow-up or repeat colonoscopy in 10 years. A 6 month period before or after 10 years is considered within the recommended follow-up interval.

Reporting Codes

Performance Met:

M1377Recommended follow-up interval for repeat colonoscopy of 10 years documented in colonoscopy report and communicated with patient

Performance Not Met:

M1379A 10-year follow-up interval for colonoscopy not recommended, reason not otherwise specified

○ Exceptions:

M1378Documentation of medical reason(s) for not recommending a 10- year follow-up interval (e.g., inadequate prep, familial or personal history of colonic polyps, patient had no adenoma and age is ≥ 66 years old, or life expectancy < 10 years, other medical reasons)

VBCA Insights

Why This Measure Matters

When a colonoscopy is normal with no polyps removed, the patient is at very low colorectal cancer risk and doesn't need another colonoscopy for 10 years. This measure ensures you're documenting that 10-year interval recommendation. Too-frequent colonoscopies waste resources, expose patients to unnecessary procedural risk, and drain endoscopy capacity from people who actually need screening. Be clear and specific: a normal scope means 10 years of reassurance.

VBCA is a CMS-approved Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) that submits MIPS Measure 320 to the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Practices can report this measure as a MIPS Clinical Quality Measure (CQM) or through qualified registry submission.

🧮MIPS Score Simulator

Estimate only — actual CMS scoring may vary based on reporting method, data completeness, and annual rule updates.

Your Performance Rate:%Benchmarks vary by collection type

💡 Tip: Enter your performance rate to compare MIPS points across all collection types. The same rate can score differently depending on how you submit.

Specialty Measure Sets

Gastroenterology

Related Measures

Colorectal Cancer

MIPS 113: Colorectal Cancer Screening MIPS 451: RAS (KRAS and NRAS) Gene Mutation Testing Performed for Patients with

Preventive Care

MIPS 039: Screening for Osteoporosis for Women Aged 65-85 Years of Age MIPS 112: Breast Cancer Screening MIPS 113: Colorectal Cancer Screening MIPS 128: Preventive Care and Screening: Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening and Follow-Up Plan MIPS 226: Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation MIPS 317: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for High Blood Pressure and Follow-Up MIPS 336: Maternity Care: Postpartum Follow-up and Care Coordination MIPS 394: Immunizations for Adolescents MIPS 398: Optimal Asthma Control MIPS 431: Preventive Care and Screening: Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Screening & Brief MIPS 493: Adult Immunization Status MIPS 497: Preventive Care and Wellness (Composite)

Official Resources

📄 CMS Measure Specification (PDF)🔗 QPP Quality Payment Program

Clinical Rationale

In the average-risk population, colorectal cancer screening using colonoscopy is recommended in all current guidelines at 10- year intervals. Inappropriate interval recommendations can result in overuse of resources and can lead to significant patient harm and unnecessary healthcare expenditures. Performing colonoscopy too often not only increases patients’ exposure to procedural harm, but also drains resources that could be more effectively used to adequately screen those in need of more urgent colonoscopy.

Variations in the recommended time interval between colonoscopies exist for patients with normal colonoscopy findings. In a 2006 study of 1282 colonoscopy reports, recommendations were consistent with contemporaneous guidelines in only 39.2% of cases and with current guidelines in 36.7% of cases. Further, the adjusted mean number of years in which repeat colonoscopy was recommended was 7.

8 years following normal colonoscopy.

Clinical Recommendations

At present, colonoscopy every 10 years is an acceptable option for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk adults beginning at age 45 years. (USPSTF 2021, USMSTF 2021). The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends CRC screening using stool-based tests (fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test [FIT], FIT-DNA), sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography, or colonoscopy in adults, beginning at age 45 years and continuing until the age of 75 years (USPSTF Grade B recommendation for age 45-49; USPSTF Grade A recommendation for age 50-75).

The risks and benefits of these screening methods vary (USPSTF, 2021). The decision to screen for colorectal cancer in adults 76 to 85 years of age should be an individual one, taking into account the patient’s overall health, prior screening history, and preferences (Grade C recommendation) (USPSTF, 2021).

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 for the performance period. The most advantageous quality data code will be used if the measure is submitted more than once. Patients who have a coded colonoscopy procedure that has a modifier 52, 53, 73, or 74 will not qualify for inclusion into the measure.

Report this measure through VBCA

Our QCDR handles measure selection, data validation, and submission—so you can focus on clinical performance.

Learn About Our QCDR →Talk to Us