Tagged with EMR EHR Electronic Medical Records
CMS Releases Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule
On June 20th, CMS released its 2018 Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule. Officially titled, “CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program,” the rule includes key policy updates that seek to streamline reporting requirements and simplify participation under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) [Track 1] and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (Advanced APM) [Track 2] pathways created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).
TX – House Passes Bill to Allow Virtual Visits
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill, by unanimous vote, that will enable physicians licensed in the state to supply telemedicine services to patients they have never met in person.
CMS gives over 800K Physicians Reprieve from MACRA Reporting in 2017
CMS has sent over 800,000 letters to clinicians, with notification that they will not be evaluated under the MACRA Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2017. Federal officials predict only about one-third of clinicians will have to file quality reports this year under the new Medicare payment system.
CMS Proposes 2018 Updates for Medicare Hospital Admissions
CMS has issued FY 2018 proposed rule for Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long Term Acute Care Hospital Prospective Payment System. The proposal hopes to relieve regulatory burdens for providers and encourage transparency, flexibility, and innovation in care delivery.
PA – Report Links over 850 Medication Errors to Health Information Technology
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority released an in-depth analysis of health information technology (HIT) related medication errors. The report indicates that 889 medication-error events were reported by health care facilities between January 1 and June 30, 2016, all of which indicated health information technology as a contributing factor.
PQRS EHR Reporting Deadline Extended through March 31
CMS has extended the deadline for PQRS EHR reporting for EPs, group practices, and their vendors through March 31.
PTAC Now Accepting APM Proposals
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) was established earlier this year by MACRA and is now accepting proposals for alternative payment models (APMs).
21st Century Cures Bill Breezes through Senate
On December 7, the Senate voted 94-5 to pass the long-awaited mental health legislation, the 21st Century Cures Bill. The bill was signed by President Obama in a White House ceremony on December 13.
Final 2017 Medicare Hospital Rates
The IPPS final rule for 2017 increases rates for general acute care hospitals by approximately 0.95%. It eliminates the two-midnight rule’s inpatient pay cuts and also includes rate changes for long-term care hospitals.