AAB: Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment for Acute Bronchitis/Bronchiolitis
Percentage of episodes for members diagnosed with acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis who were NOT dispensed an antibiotic prescription. Targets antibiotic stewardship.
Measure description
Percentage of episodes for members diagnosed with acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis who were NOT dispensed an antibiotic prescription. Targets antibiotic stewardship.
Eligible population
Members with new acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis episode
Performance drivers
Antibiotic prescribing for viral URIs drives inappropriate utilization. Plans incentivize delayed-prescribing strategies and patient education.
Documentation & PA strategy
Document viral etiology when available, watchful waiting plan, delayed prescription, patient education when antibiotics avoided. Avoid documenting 'bronchitis' alongside antibiotic prescription unless secondary bacterial infection documented.
Why HEDIS matters for prior authorization
Health plans align prior authorization criteria with HEDIS measures: documenting your patient meets the HEDIS definition often streamlines or eliminates PA hurdles. For Medicare Advantage in particular, plans are heavily incentivized via Star Ratings to push members and providers toward measure compliance, which translates into faster approvals for measure-aligned services.
Frequently asked questions
What does HEDIS measure AAB measure?
Percentage of episodes for members diagnosed with acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis who were NOT dispensed an antibiotic prescription. Targets antibiotic stewardship.
What drives performance on this measure?
Antibiotic prescribing for viral URIs drives inappropriate utilization. Plans incentivize delayed-prescribing strategies and patient education.
How should clinicians document for this measure?
Document viral etiology when available, watchful waiting plan, delayed prescription, patient education when antibiotics avoided. Avoid documenting 'bronchitis' alongside antibiotic prescription unless secondary bacterial infection documented.
What is the eligible population?
Members with new acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis episode
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