The denominator statement describes the population evaluated by the individual measure. The population defined by the denominator can be the same as the target/initial population, or it can be a subset of the target/initial population to further constrain the population for the measure. The measure developer must describe the denominator statement sufficiently so the reader understands the eligible population or composition of the denominator, and should not use codes in lieu of words to express concepts in written descriptions. The measure developer should define the denominator precisely and include parameters such as

• Age ranges
• Setting
• Diagnosis
• Procedures
• Time interval
• Other qualifying events, e.g., look-back period

Format: Patients, age [age or age range], with [condition] in [setting] during [time frame]

Examples

• All patients aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) (CMIT Member ID 30) (CMS CBE #0104e)
• All patients at least 18 years old as of the first day of the reporting month who are determined to be maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients (in-center and home HD) for the complete reporting month at the same facility (CMIT Member ID 313) (CMS CBE #2978)