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 make the denominator statement sufficiently detailed that 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. For instance, specify that patients with COVID-19 are excluded from the measure, rather than using the notation “not equal to U07.1 (COVID-19). 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 Measure ID 30) (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 Measure ID 313) (CBE #2978)