MIPS #453 Percentage of Patients Who Died from Cancer Receiving Systemic Cancer-Directed Therapy in the Last 14 Days of Life
2026 measure specifications updates highlighted below, Practice Insights coding changes to occur 4/6/26.
MEASURE DESCRIPTION
Percentage of patients who died from cancer receiving systemic cancer-directed therapy in the last 14 days of care.
This is an inverse measure; a lower percentage achieves a higher score.
Relevance to Value Based Care: Increased focus given to patients who receive unnecessary treatment at the end of life. These treatments have not been shown to improve outcomes at the end of life and can negatively impact the patient and caregiver experience. Studies show resource utilization costs are significantly higher at the end-of-life period.
Numerator
Patients who received systemic cancer-directed therapy in the last 14 days of life.
Systemic Cancer-directed Therapy – includes: All traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy (such as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, plant alkaloids and terpenoids, topoisomerase inhibitors, and antitumor antibiotics); Immunotherapy; Biologics (such as trastuzumab, rituximab); and Targeted agents
Note: Hormonal therapies and steroids are not included in this systemic cancer directed therapy definition.
Denominator
Patients who died from cancer during the performance year.
DENOMINATOR NOTE:
The patient must have two encounters during the performance period. This is intended to reflect two separate encounters with the same reporting provider/group during this timeframe. There is no specific timeframe for the requirement for the two encounters that occur during the performance period. For example, two encounters with the same provider/group could occur in the same week. However, two encounters should not be counted if they occur on the same day. For example, the patient has two encounters, and one is with a different provider on the same day
Exclusion/Exceptions
None.
Telehealth Included: No Yes
Scoring: Up to 10 points
