Q: I have heard the upgraded NACOR referred to as “NACOR 2.0”. What’s that?
A: AQI is reinvesting in NACOR, with a completely overhauled interface, modern technology underpinning and new quality intake tools, a patient experience survey, and most importantly, a dramatic improvement in data quality though commitment to seamless EHR integrations, starting with the Anesthesia Community Registry collaboration with Epic.
Q: What is the Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: The Anesthesia Community Registry is developed and operated by Epic to revolutionize how data can be extracted from Epic’s EHR into NACOR. The Anesthesia Community Registry provides the "plumbing" to seamless transfer EHR data to AQI NACOR, effectively eliminating the need for third-party integration tools that require hospital IT resources to deploy, and helps standardize data across Epic sites within NACOR.
Q: Will Provation still be hosting and providing support for NACOR?
A: In 2027, AQI will be resuming control of NACOR hosting and development from Provation, formerly eProp. This is enabling AQI to implement overdue enhancements to features and will give AQI full control over delivery of service and support in a financially sustainable manner.
Q: Why are AQI and Provation no longer supporting Quality Concierge?
A: AQI and Provation believe that continuing the collaboration on Quality Concierge and Provation’s hosting of NACOR are no longer the best way to meet the needs of our joint customers.
Q: Will anything change with how I submit my data to NACOR?
A: For NACOR Benchmarking and Quality Reporting, some of the specific steps will likely change, but essentially, AQI will continue to accept the current XML submission pathway. For Quality Concierge, see Quality Concierge section of FAQ.
Q: Will all of the current NACOR measures be supported?
A: Yes, NACOR will continue to support the same measures. AQI intends to continue to engage with third parties to license measures currently supported in NACOR.
Q: Will anything change with how I access NACOR?
A: Yes, there will be a new URL and user interface for dashboards, data submission and administrative tasks. All users will be required to create new logins. In addition, every clinician participating in NACOR with an ASA login will now be able to view their own performance in NACOR.
Q: Will all my past data be available in the upgraded NACOR?
A: Not all. AQI is a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and due to PSO restrictions, AQI is unable to move all data out of the current NACOR into the upgraded NACOR. Only historical data submitted to CMS will be migrated. AQI can work with you to resubmit/reprocess data files dating back as far as 2017 if past data is needed.
Q: Will I be able to obtain an export of my data?
A: No. AQI is a Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and due to PSO restrictions, AQI is unable to export data out of the current NACOR.
Q: When will the new version of NACOR be available?
A: Pilot users will begin accessing NACOR in mid/late 2026, and it will be available to all participants in January 2027.
Q: Do I have to upgrade, or can I stay on current NACOR?
A: You cannot stay on the current version of NACOR.
Q: Will I be using both the current version of NACOR and the new version of NACOR at the same time during a transition?
A: Yes and No. Beginning Jan 1, 2027 all data for 2027 will be submitted into the new NACOR. However, you can still access the current version of NACOR to submit and review 2026 data through March 31, 2027. After March 31, 2027, the current version of NACOR will no longer be available.
Q: Will the NACOR dashboards look the same?
A: NACOR is undergoing major enhancements to the dashboards and user interface. Dashboards will retain core features/functions and will include new visuals, enhanced dashboard filtering for patient/site/case data elements, improved performance reporting options, as well as new user interface and optimized navigation based on testing and feedback from participants. For those using the Anesthesia Community Registry from Epic, there will be a wealth of additional data available in the dashboards.
Q: I am using Quality Concierge to report my measures. Will AQI offer a new quality capture method to report my measures with NACOR?
A: Starting January 1, 2027, AQI will offer a new Quality Capture Application (QCA) where you will be able to document measures data in a similar way to Quality Concierge today.
Q: With the new QCA application, where will I get a report that shows me a list of cases that have not yet been reported?
A: The list of cases with unreported measures will be accessible the new NACOR Dashboards
Q: Who will I go to with questions about configuring measures in AQI’s new quality capture application after the transition to NACOR?
A: For NACOR participants that choose to use the new Quality Capture Application, starting Jan 1, 2027, submit a request to [email protected] to set up and configure measures you / your group wish to report.
Q: Will the cost to participate in NACOR change?
A: For current Quality Concierge customers, the per provider pricing model will be converted to a per-case pricing model with a nominal administrative fee to align with the NACOR fee structure and annual reconciliation process. NACOR Benchmarking and Quality Reporting participants have been on a per-case pricing model since 2024.
Q: I am currently calling Provation for NACOR support, will that change?
A: Provation will maintain participant support through 2026. AQI will become the main support contact on January 1, 2027 and beyond and new support contact information will be provided. During the transition through March 31, 2027, you can contact either Provation or AQI and we will coordinate on your behalf.
Q: What protection from discoverability does NACOR provide in recording adverse events in NACOR, outside of the EHR record?
A: While AQI maintains all data submitted to the NACOR registry as confidential in accordance with the terms of its registry participation agreements, restricted access controls, and governance policies, the extent to which submitted adverse event information may be protected under peer review, quality assurance, or related confidentiality laws depends on applicable state law, as well as how the information is generated, maintained, and used within the participating organization. Because these protections are highly fact- and jurisdiction-specific, AQI cannot make legal representations regarding the applicability of peer review privilege or other protections to information contributed to the NACOR registry.
AQI also maintains its Anesthesia Incident Reporting System (AIRS) registry within its federally designated Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and those data are used for AQI patient safety activities. Adverse events reported to AIRS may qualify for federal confidentiality and privilege protections under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, in addition to any applicable state law protections. However, data submitted to AIRS cannot be shared back to your organization unless you are also a designated PSO.
The NACOR registry is not maintained within the PSO framework to support broader use and sharing of benchmarking and quality improvement information by participating practices, including sharing results outside of their organizations for purposes such as hospital or payor discussions and certification programs.
If you would like to explore submitting information from your organization’s PSO or peer review processes into AQI’s PSO through the AIRS registry, please let us know.
Q: If adverse events are submitted directly to the enhanced NACOR platform, would I be notified of any legal requests for those data?
A: You are able to report adverse events into the NACOR registry using the available data fields. Because NACOR is generally not the original source of underlying clinical information submitted to the registry, requests from third parties seeking registry data have been extremely rare, historically. If AQI were to receive such a request (such as a subpoena) and a response is required by law, AQI will give prior notice to the participating practice (unless prohibited by law), so the practice may evaluate available objections, protective orders, or other confidentiality protections.
Q: Will NACOR Basic still be offered?
A: No, NACOR participation will no longer offer the same tiers of service (e.g. Basic, Benchmarking, Quality Reporting, Quality Concierge). All anesthesia practices will subscribe to a single NACOR plan with optional products and services available with applicable fees for:
Q: Will there be new Benchmarking measures / dashboards?
A: Yes, new dashboards will be added under guidance from ASA and AQI clinician leadership as well as NACOR participant feedback.
Q: If NACOR Basic is sunset, what happens to my data?
A: Any data submitted to CMS will be migrated into the upgraded NACOR. You can resubmit all of your historic data to AQI for inclusion in the upgraded NACOR. A new NACOR agreement will be required for continued use of NACOR.
Q: Will NACOR support MIPS and MVPs?
A: Yes, MIPS and MVP support will not change.
Q: Will there be interruptions for 2026 reporting?
A: No, reporting MIPS and MVPs will follow the standard reporting cycle without interruptions.
Q: Will NACOR continue to support MIPS and MVPs?
A: Yes, MIPS and MVP support will not change.
Q: Will the new NACOR use the same patient experience survey?
A: No, AQI is developing a new patient experience survey. The new survey will offer a set of core questions recommended by the ASA Quality Management and Departmental Administration Committee and include support for MIPS measure AQI48.
Q: Will the new NACOR use the same Quality Concierge / AnesthesiaValet mobile app?
A: No, AQI is developing a new Quality Capture Application (QCA) to maintain all core features and functions with applied enhancements from user feedback.
Q: Will the Quality Concierge Dashboards still be available in NACOR?
A: Not in their current presentation. AQI is developing new NACOR dashboards that will maintain core features and functions of current application use.
Q: I am currently invoiced by Provation for Quality Concierge, will that change?
A: Yes, beginning Apr 2027, Quality Concierge participants will no longer be invoiced by Provation and you will start receiving invoices from ASA AQI.
Q: My SaaS Agreement for Quality Concierge expires before the upgraded NACOR and new QCA will be ready, what will I need to do?
A: All active NACOR QC clients will receive notice prior to the launch on how to continue participation in NACOR.
Q: My SaaS Agreement for Quality Concierge is for three years and expires after the new NACOR will launch, do I need to do anything?
A: All active NACOR QC clients will receive notice prior to the launch on how to continue participation in the new NACOR.
Q: When and how do I need to transition to QCA to avoid interruption in my Quality Concierge services?
A: Jan 1, 2027, you will be able to access QCA, AQI is connecting with current Quality Concierge customers now to begin the transition process. If you have not been contacted or missed the communication, please reach out to AQI at [email protected]
Q: How will the transition to QCA from Quality Concierge impact my current Quality Concierge Epic integration?
A: The Quality Concierge application integrated with Epic will be disabled. There will be an option to transition to the Epic-developed Anesthesia Community Registry (ACR) which will provide the same or better functionality as Quality Concierge provides today.
It is important to note that the Anesthesia Community Registry is first available in the February 2026 version or Epic’s EHR and the Anesthesia Community Registry with support for manual attestation of MIPS measures is first available in the August 2026 version. In order to enable the Anesthesia Community Registry within Epic, that instance of Epic must be on a 2026 or later Epic release.
AQI highly recommends you work with us, your hospital system, and Epic as soon as possible to understand the EHR upgrade timeline and potential impact.
Q: What if my Quality Concierge is currently integrated in Oracle Cerner (or another non-Epic EHR), can we still use NACOR?
A: Yes, you will be transitioned to the upgraded NACOR and can utilize the AQI QCA, which will require manual entry of measure data but will support your current data capture into NACOR. AQI will be actively pursuing integration with other EHR companies once the Anesthesia Community Registry is implemented in 2026.
Q: Is the Anesthesia Community Registry included with NACOR?
A: A separate NACOR plan is needed for health care organizations to use the ACR to send data to NACOR on behalf of an anesthesia practice. The NACOR plan for health care organizations includes dashboards created for health system administration to see summary clinical and operational data about their anesthesia delivery at any site using Epic.
Q: Can I get the Anesthesia Community Registry directly from Epic?
A: No, the Anesthesia Community Registry is a collaboration between AQI and Epic and is only licensed through AQI.
Q: What is the cost for the Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: The Anesthesia Community Registry will require a one-time setup fee per Epic instance where it is enabled within the healthcare organization. There is typically only one Epic instance that covers several sites for multi-site health system, but it is possible that a health system may have more than one Epic instance, due to an acquisition, for example. The Anesthesia Community Registry also has a minimal annual fee for maintenance and integration. Contact AQI for specific pricing, as prices may vary based on organizational structure.
Q: Can I still use my non-Epic billing provider to combine with Epic data?
A: Yes, non-Epic billing data would still be required to be submitted through an XML pathway to NACOR for case linking and ingestion.
Q: Will the Anesthesia Community Registry support MIPS reporting?
A: Yes, Epic will provide Smartforms, expected to be available in the August 2026 version release where Epic users can report on MIPS/MVP and NACOR QCDR measures within the Epic workflow and stored within the ACR for ingestion into NACOR.
Q: When will Anesthesia Community Registry be available?
A: Early adoption will begin in early 2026 and be available to all NACOR participants using a 2026 or later release of Epic in Jan 2027.
Q: What if some of the health systems where we (anesthesiologists) practice don’t use Epic?
A: If your anesthesia department or private practice is providing services to multiple health care systems and not all use Epic, the Anesthesia Community Registry would only optimize and automate capture for those that use Epic. However, the new Quality Capture Application from AQI may be used to report measures data. In addition, AQI will maintain the XML data submission pathway in the short term for non-Epic organizations. AQI is also planning to develop similar pathways with additional EHR providers in the near future.
Q: What if some of the sites (at our health system) don’t use Epic?
A: The Anesthesia Community Registry would only optimize and automate capture for the Epic institutions. However, the new Quality Capture Application from AQI may be used to report measures data. In addition, AQI will maintain the XML data submission pathway in the short term for aggregation of data across institutions in your system. AQI is also planning to develop similar pathways with additional EHR providers in the near future.
Q: Does each site within a health system need to agree to participate in Anesthesia Community Registry (ACR)?
A: No, NACOR participation agreements for the anesthesia community registry will be made with Epic health care organizations that currently license Epic. Once enabled for a health care organization, it will be available for all sites using that instance of Epic.
However, data remains in the Anesthesia Community Registry until there is a corresponding NACOR participation agreement with the anesthesia practice or department that delivered the care.
Only when an anesthesia practice or department agrees to send data to NACOR through a NACOR agreement does data leave the Anesthesia Community Registry.
Q: What version of Epic supports Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: Participating HCOs must be on the February 2026 Epic version or any subsequent version to use the Anesthesia Community Registry as a data intake mechanism for NACOR. The August 2026 Epic version or any subsequent version will support capturing all measures required for MIPS reporting.
Q: What agreement(s) are required from the health system to implement Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: Final version of the required Agreements for Anesthesia Community Registry will be made available to Private Practices and Anesthesia Departments who wish to participate in the Anesthesia Community Registry in 2026. The practice or department leadership then works with the health system(s) and AQI to move these agreements through the governance of the health system. AQI will require a participation agreement and a Business Associate Agreement with the private practice or anesthesia department, and a Business Associate Agreement with the health care organization. In addition, there will be three-way consent agreements between a health care organization and a contracted anesthesia practice that permit data to be shared with AQI.
Q: What additional data and dashboards are available via the Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: ACR details can be found at www.asahq.org/ACR including high-level benefits, articles, and an overview video of ACR data targets presented by AQI leadership. The Anesthesia Community Registry allows NACOR to access patient demographics, risk variables, outcomes, perioperative elements, encounter and case tracking/timestamp data, operational data, and more. We anticipate several dashboards related to LOS, risk adjusted metrics, operational data (e.g. FCOTS, turnaround time, etc.), and other clinical metrics to be available. Dashboards are being developed with feedback from AQI, ASA, and NACOR leaders.
Q: If I choose to participate in the Anesthesia Community Registry, how can I be sure my data is secure/protected?
A: The Anesthesia Community Registry is stored within the Epic environment for direct access from AQI, which reduces security risk of file transfers. Additionally, AQI will be ingesting data as a limited dataset from the Anesthesia Community Registry using encrypted identifiers. For additional information about NACOR security, visit NACOR Security FAQs on the AQI website.
Q: Will AQI, Epic, or both be involved in supporting setup of the Anesthesia Community Registry and integration to NACOR?
A: Epic will be available to provide any technical support or data issues related to the Anesthesia Community Registry functionality, but AQI will serve as primary contact for support related to data integrity and NACOR ingestion.
Q: Will the IT Department at the health system be involved in deploying or supporting setup of the Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: To the degree required to deploy new functionality typically included with an Epic release. Epic has provided documentation within its release notes and projects the effort to be minimal.
Q: Who owns my data?
A: Private Practices and Anesthesia Departments participating in NACOR own their own data while the registry retains a copy.
Q: Who can see my data in the Anesthesia Community Registry?
A: Technically, no one can see data in the Anesthesia Community Registry. The Anesthesia Community Registry is a mechanism for ingesting data into NACOR where it can be viewed.
Data within Anesthesia Community Registry will be aggregated and deidentified when transmitted to NACOR for benchmarking and reporting at a national level.
Date of last update: May 3, 2026
