877-777-2298

Performance Measure: Secure Messaging

Updated June 8, 2026 3 minute read

Measure: For at least one unique patient seen by the MIPS EC during the performance period, a secure message was sent using the electronic messaging function of CEHRT to the patient (or the patient-authorized representative), or in response to a secure message sent by the patient (or the patient-authorized representative).
DenominatorThe number of unique patients seen by the MIPS eligible clinician during the performance period.
NumeratorThe number of patients in the denominator for whom a secure electronic message is sent to the patient (or patient-authorized representative) or in response to a secure message sent by the patient (or patient-authorized representative), during the performance period.
Denominator

To be included in the denominator:

  • Patient must be seen by the EC during the performance period
Numerator

To be included in the numerator:

  • EC must send a message to the patient or patient-authorized representative using the patient portal during the performance period

OR

  • EC must reply to a message received in the Patient Portal Inbox from the patient or patient-authorized representative during the performance period

Messages can be sent using the patient portal from the following areas:

Create a New Portal Message
  1. Click New from the Patient Portal Inbox
  2. Enter patient search criteria and click Search
  3. Select the patient and click OK
  4. Populate the Subject and message body fields
    1. Select a message favorite from the Subject selection list or click Custom and type a subject and message
  5. Optional: add any of the following attachments to the message:
    1. Select the Attach chart summary checkbox to include the patient’s chart summary
    2. Click Add in the Past Encounters section to attach one or more past encounters
    3. Click Add in the Labs section to attach one or more lab results
    4. Click Add in the Other section to add one or more PDF attachments
  6. Click OK to send
Send a Portal Message from Chart Tools
  1. Go to Chart > Chart Tools > Send Portal Message
  2. Populate the Subject and message body fields
    1. Select a message favorite from the Subject selection list or click Custom and type a subject and message
  3. Optional: the following attachments can be included with the message:
    1. Select the Attach chart summary checkbox to include the patient’s chart summary
    2. Click Add in the Past Encounters section to add one or more past encounters
    3. Click Add in the Labs section to add one or more lab results
    4. Click Add in the Other section to add one or more PDF attachments
  4. Click OK to send the message 
Send a Visit Plan to the Portal from an Encounter
  1. From the Coding tab and click Done
  2. Select the Finalize checkbox
  3. Select the Export Plan to Patient Portal checkbox
  4. Click Finalize
    1. Encounter must be finalized by EC
Reply to a Portal Message
  1. Select the message from the Patient Portal Inbox and click Reply
  2. Populate the message body
  3. Optional: add any of the following attachments to the message:
    1. Select the Attach chart summary checkbox to include the patient’s chart summary
    2. Click Add in the Past Encounters section to attach one or more past encounters
    3. Click Add in the Labs section to attach one or more lab results
    4. Click Add in the Other section to add one or more PDF attachments
  4. Click OK to send

To send a message from the Patient Reminders tab, select Portal as the reminder method when creating a patient reminder. Patient reminder message must be sent by the EC to count toward the numerator.

Additional Information
  • Patients seen more than once during the performance period will only count once toward the measure.
    • For ECs reporting as a group, a patient seen by more than one EC in the group will only count once toward the measure.

Return to 2018 MIPS Promoting Interoperability Measures