Who is eligible for MIPS 501?

Patients with a diagnosis of acute PVD and acute vitreous hemorrhage in either eye and eligible encounter during performance period. Definition: Acute PVD – For the purposes of this measure, acute PVD and acute vitreous hemorrhage is defined as recent onset of 30 days or less. For PVD, acute can be documented as new onset vitreous separation or vitreous detachment. Acute vitreous hemorrhage should occur at the same time as PVD and/or have an onset of 30 days or less to ensure vitreous hemorrhage is acute and not chronic.

Is MIPS 501 the same as MIPS 501?

Yes. CMS uses zero-padded three-digit Quality IDs (501) in official specifications, while clinicians often search for MIPS 501 or Quality ID 501 without the leading zero. Both refer to the same 2026 MIPS quality measure reported through the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

How do I report MIPS Measure 501 in 2026?

MIPS Measure 501 (Quality ID 501) 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 501 a topped-out measure?

No, MIPS 501 is not topped out, meaning there is still meaningful performance variation across clinicians.

Measure ID: MIPS 501|Ophthalmology|2026 Performance Year

2026 MIPS Measure #501: Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Acute Vitreous Hemorrhage Appropriate

Percentage of patients with a diagnosis of acute posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and acute vitreous hemorrhage in either eye who were appropriately evaluated during the initial exam and were re-evaluated no later than 2 weeks.

ProcessOphthalmologyGeriatrics

Measure ID:MIPS 501 (Quality ID 501)

Collection:MIPS CQM

Topped Out:No

View CMS Spec ↗

Measure Specification

Eligible Population

All patients regardless of age

ANDDiagnosis for PVD

ANDAcute PVD: M1337

ANDDiagnosis for vitreous hemorrhage

ANDAcute vitreous hemorrhage: M1333

ANDPatient encounters during the performance period

WITHOUTEncounters conducted via telehealth: M1426

Exclusions

M1334Patients with a post-operative encounter of the eye with the acute PVD within 2 weeks before the initial encounter or 2 weeks after initial acute PVD encounter

Numerator

Patients who were appropriately evaluated during the initial exam and were re-evaluated no later than 2 weeks.

Reporting Codes

Performance Met:

M1336Patients who were appropriately evaluated during the initial exam AND were re-evaluated no later than 2 weeks

Performance Not Met:

M1332Patients who were not appropriately evaluated during the initial exam AND/OR who were not re-evaluated within 2 weeks

○ Exceptions:

M1335Documentation of patient reason(s) for not having a follow up exam (e.g., inadequate time for follow up)

VBCA Insights

Why This Measure Matters

When acute PVD occurs with vitreous hemorrhage (blood in the eye), the risk of retinal tears is even higher and requires more aggressive follow-up. Perform the same thorough initial dilated exam, but plan a follow-up within two weeks instead of eight—the shorter interval reflects the higher urgency. Blood in the vitreous can obscure tears, so close monitoring is essential. Document your findings clearly and give the patient clear instructions about symptoms that require immediate return.

VBCA is a CMS-approved Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) that submits MIPS Measure 501 to the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Practices can report this measure as a MIPS Clinical Quality Measure (CQM) or through qualified registry submission.

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Specialty Measure Sets

Ophthalmology

Related Measures

Ophthalmology

MIPS 117: Diabetes: Eye Exam MIPS 141: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Reduction of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) by 20% OR MIPS 191: Cataracts: 20/40 or Better Visual Acuity within 90 Days Following Cataract Surgery MIPS 303: Cataracts: Improvement in Patient’s Visual Function within 90 Days Following Cataract MIPS 304: Cataracts: Patient Satisfaction within 90 Days Following Cataract Surgery MIPS 384: Adult Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery: No Return to the Operating MIPS 385: Adult Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery: Visual Acuity Improvement MIPS 389: Cataract Surgery: Difference Between Planned and Final Refraction MIPS 499: Appropriate Screening and Plan of Care for Elevated Intraocular Pressure Following MIPS 500: Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Appropriate Examination and Follow-up

Geriatrics

MIPS 048: Urinary Incontinence: Assessment of Presence or Absence of Urinary Incontinence in MIPS 050: Urinary Incontinence: Plan of Care for Urinary Incontinence in Women Aged 65 Years MIPS 155: Falls: Plan of Care MIPS 181: Elder Maltreatment Screen and Follow-Up Plan MIPS 238: Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults MIPS 282: Dementia: Functional Status Assessment MIPS 286: Dementia: Safety Concern Screening and Follow-Up for Patients with Dementia MIPS 288: Dementia: Education and Support of Caregivers for Patients with Dementia MIPS 500: Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Appropriate Examination and Follow-up MIPS 513: Patient Reported Falls and Plan of Care

Official Resources

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

Clinical Rationale

Retinal tears, if treated promptly, are less likely to result in detachment. Pigmented cells and hemorrhage in the setting of an acute PVD are associated with an increased risk of retinal tears, and these findings necessitate close follow-up examination to identify and treat any associated retinal tears. Prompt treatment will minimize the potential for complications such as retinal detachment and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Clinical Recommendations

This measure is based on clinical recommendations adapted from the AAO Preferred Practice Guidelines (AAO, 2019), which are excerpted below. The eye examination should include the following elements: Examination of the vitreous for hemorrhage, detachment, and pigmented cells Careful examination of the peripheral fundus using scleral depression There are no symptoms that can reliably distinguish between a PVD with or without an associated retinal break; therefore, a peripheral retinal examination is required.

The preferred method of evaluating patients for peripheral vitreoretinal pathology is to use an indirect ophthalmoscope combined with scleral depression. Many patients with retinal tears have blood and pigmented cells in the anterior vitreous. In fully dilated eyes, slit-lamp biomicroscopy with a mirrored contact lens or a condensing lens is an alternative method in fully dilated eyes instead of a scleral depressed indirect examination of the peripheral retina.

A spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage can be the presenting sign of PVD or may occur during the evolution of the PVD. Two-thirds of patients who present with associated vitreous hemorrhage were found to have at least one break. In this subgroup, one-third had more than one break and approximately 88% of the breaks occurred in the superior quadrants. If media opacity or patient cooperation precludes an adequate examination of the peripheral retina, B- scan ultrasonography should be performed to search for retinal tears, RRD, mass lesions, or other causes of vitreous hemorrhage.

Bilateral patching and/or elevation of the head while sleeping may be used when attempting to clear the vitreous hemorrhage. If no abnormalities are found, frequent follow-up examinations are recommended (i.e., every 1–2 weeks initially). Wide-field color photography can detect some peripheral retinal breaks but does not replace careful ophthalmoscopy and may be useful in patients not able to tolerate the exam.

Even if the vitreous hemorrhage is sufficiently dense to obscure the posterior pole, the peripheral retina frequently can be examined using indirect ophthalmoscopy and scleral depression. Patients who present with vitreous hemorrhage sufficient to obscure all retinal details and have a negative B-scan ultrasonographic evaluation should be followed closely.

When a retinal tear is suspected, repeat ultrasonographic examination should be performed within 1 to 2 weeks of the initial evaluation.

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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