The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law with bipartisan support on April 16, 2015 and went into effect on January 1, 2017. The law does many things but most importantly it establishes a new payment methodology based on how clinicians and groups of clinicians care for Medicare beneficiaries. It is comprehensive legislation that has significantly restructured U.S. healthcare.
The QPP replaces the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula that formerly determined Medicare Part B reimbursement rates. Reimbursement under the QPP how hinges on patient care value and outcomes.
There are two paths to participation that focus on incentivizing for care quality rather than volume.
Azalea Health customers who have any questions on this topic can contact Customer Relations at CR@AzaleaHealth.com.
The MIPS is a pathway that consolidates the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the Value-based Payment Modifier (VBM) and the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program into one single program. “MIPS was designed to tie payments to quality and cost efficient care, drive improvement in care processes and health outcomes, increase the use of healthcare information, and reduce the cost of care.”¹
Check your MIPS eligibility HERE.
Individual vs. Group Participation
When a clinician is included in MIPS, there must be a decision made as to whether to report as an individual or group.
The MIPS Composite Score
The MIPS Composite Score (0-100) is calculated based on data submitted in 4 weighted categories and determines an eligible clinician’s (EC) or group’s overall performance in the MIPS Program.
The Composite Score is ultimately the tipping point for whether an EC or group receives a positive, neutral or negative payment adjustment (2 years following the Performance Year). The MIPS Composite Score can significantly impact a provider’s Medicare reimbursement in each payment year from -9% to +27% by 2022.
The MIPS Performance Program Year is based on the calendar year and participation is required annually.
APMs offer a collaborative way to manage Medicare Part B beneficiaries, receive payment for services and earn incentives for providing high-quality, cost-efficient care as a whole. It also requires an application process and acceptance of risk.
MIPS APMs
Participation still requires collection and submission of the 4 MIPS categories, though the scoring methodology is a bit different.
Advanced APMs
Advanced APMs participants earn a 5% incentive in 2020 for participation in 2018 if:
Advanced APMs required you to collect and submit quality data to your Advanced APM.
The list of Advanced APMs is expected to update annually.
Azalea EHR 3.0 (ambulatory) and ChartAccess 6.0 (acute) is certified to the ONC 2015 Edition Certification through Drummond (ONC-ACB)..
Our Regulatory Program subject-matter experts help our clients navigate everything from participation strategy and measures selection, to actually pulling the proper data and submitting successfully. Our goal for clients is to not simply to avoid penalties, but to qualify and take full advantage of the available positive adjustments.
Please contact your Client Engagement Specialist to learn more about our available QPP support options.
¹QPP Website (https://qpp.cms.gov/mips/overview)
²QPP Website (https://qpp.cms.gov/participation-lookup/about)
³QPP Website (https://qpp.cms.gov/mips/individual-or-group-participation)
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