Assesses adults 40 years of age and older who have a new diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or newly active COPD, who received spirometry testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Why It Matters
COPD is a progressive, irreversible respiratory condition. It is the third leading cause of the death in the United States.1,2 Spirometry testing is recommended by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease as the preferred method for diagnosing COPD.2 Despite being the gold standard for diagnosis and assessment of COPD, spirometry testing is underused. Earlier diagnosis using spirometry testing supports a treatment plan that may protect against worsening symptoms and decrease the number of exacerbations.
Results – National Averages
Spirometry Testing Rate
| Measure Year | Commercial HMO | Commercial PPO | Medicaid HMO | Medicare HMO | Medicare PPO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33.8 | 34 | 22.9 | 25.7 | 28.7 |
| 2021 | 36.1 | 36.1 | 24.8 | 26.9 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 37.4 | 37.2 | 26.8 | 29.8 | 31.5 |
| 2019 | 41.5 | 39.1 | 30.4 | § | § |
| 2018 | 41.7 | 39.9 | 31 | 34 | 34.2 |
| 2017 | 41.6 | 39.6 | 31.6 | 34.2 | 33.5 |
| 2016 | 42 | 40.5 | 31.6 | 34.9 | 35 |
| 2015 | 43.4 | 41.1 | 31 | 36.3 | 36.6 |
| 2014 | 43 | 41.2 | 31 | 36.3 | 35 |
| 2013 | 42.5 | 41 | 31 | 36 | 35.6 |
| 2012 | 43.5 | 41.5 | 31.5 | 36.8 | 35 |
| 2011 | 42.9 | 40.5 | 32 | 36.3 | 35.6 |
| 2010 | 41.7 | 40.2 | 31.3 | 33.9 | 35.3 |
| 2009 | 38.8 | 36.7 | 28.6 | 28.5 | 28.8 |
| 2008 | 37.6 | 36.4 | 29.3 | 27.7 | 26.5 |
| 2007 | 35.7 | 33.7 | 28.4 | 27.2 | 25.4 |
| 2006 | 36.1 | 33.7 | 27.3 | 26.2 | 30.2 |
§ Not available due to CMS suspension of data reporting during COVID-19 pandemic.
This State of Healthcare Quality Report classifies health plans differently than NCQA’s Quality Compass. HMO corresponds to All LOBs (excluding PPO and EPO) within Quality Compass. PPO corresponds to PPO and EPO within Quality Compass.
Figures do not account for changes in the underlying measure that could break trending. Contact Information Products via my.ncqa.org for analysis that accounts for trend breaks.
References
- Hoyert, D., and J. Xu. 2012. “Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011.” National Vital Statistics Reports 61(6):1-52. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_06.pdf
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. 2014. “Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.”