Tagged with MIPS Merit-based Incentive Payment System
Physician Billing in 2022: 10% Medicare cut!
Physician billing rates for 2022 are now official with publication of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. It includes the 9.75% cut from the earlier Interim Rule, some tweaks to telehealth and QPP/MIPS updates
Radiology Reimbursement Hit by 2022 MPFS Changes
Radiology reimbursement will be hit by proposed MIPS and clinical labor rate changes in the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. On top of other changes.
CMS Provides MIPS Reporting Relief and Extension
CMS is issuing an extension to the 2019 data submission deadline through April 30, 2020. Specifically, the agency is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs with respect to upcoming measure reporting and data submission.
CMS Releases CY 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
On November 1, CMS released its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule for calendar year (CY) 2019. The latest update includes changes to the Quality Payment Program as well as documentation and payment adjustments for evaluation and management services.
New Data Shows 93% of Eligible Clinicians Received MIPS Payment Under QPP Last Year
New data released by CMS shows 93% of eligible clinicians who participated in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under the Quality Payment Program (QPP) received positive payment adjustments for their MIPS performance last year.
eCQM Value Set Update for 2019 Reporting and Performance Periods Published
CMS and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has published the most recent updates to the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) value sets. The updated sets include ICD-10 Clinical Modification (CM) and Procedure Coding System (PCS), SNOMED CT, LOINC, and RxNorm.
CMS to Recalculate 2017 MIPS Final Scores, Extending Targeted Review Deadline
Following the release of final scores for the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period and a targeted review period, CMS identified several errors in the final score calculation process. The agency corrected the errors and has recalculated the MIPS final scores and any accompanying payment adjustments for affected physicians.
MedPAC Releases 2018 Report
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has released its March 2018 Report to Congress on Medicare payment policy, detailing its payment update recommendations to Congress, which the Commissioners voted on in January.
CMS Releases Updated Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Policy
CMS has released and updated version of its Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy for the 2017 MIPS transition year. The updates policy now includes counties affected by Hurricane Nate and additional counties affected by the California wildfires.
2018 Value Modifier Results and Payment Adjustment Factor Released
CMS has announced the results of the final 2018 Value Modifier and the adjustment factor that will be applied to clinicians receiving an upward payment adjustment.
CMS Launches New QPP Data Submission System for Clinicians
CMS has launched a new data submission system for clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP), designed to reduce administrative burdens and streamline the data submission process.
Insurers Praise Medicare Advantage Alternative Payment Models Demonstration Project
Providers and insurance groups are in favor of CMS’ plans to develop a demonstration project that will test the effects of allowing clinicians to receive credit for financial risk-based arrangements with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
2018 QPP and MPFS Final Rules Released
CMS has released final rules for the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Quality Payment Program (QPP). The rules, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2018, address changes within the fee schedule as well as other Medicare Part B payment policies, such as changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
CMS Announces Transition of eCQMs to CQL for CY2019 Reporting Periods
CMS, on October 31st, announced that electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) in CMS quality programs will be transitioned to use the Clinical Quality Language (CQL) standard (CQL Release 1, Standard for Trial Use (STU) 2) for logic expression. Additionally, CMS has issued revised technical release notes (TRNs) for the addendum to the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) annual update specifications for 4th Quarter 2017 reporting and 2018 reporting periods.
CMS Issues Guidance on Information Blocking Prevention in MIPS
CMS has published guidelines detailing requirements as to how Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)-eligible clinicians must attest in order to prove they have made a good-faith effort to implement and use EHR technology that supports the timely exchange of healthcare information.
CMS Issues MIPS Eligible Measure Applicability Resources
CMS has introduced a new MIPS Eligible Measure Applicability process to allow providers who were unable to submit the required number of quality measures the opportunity to earn the maximum score for that reporting category.
2018 eCQM Value Set Addendum for EPs, ECs Released
CMS has released an addendum to the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) annual update specifications originally published in May 2017. This addendum updates eCQM value sets for the 2018 performance period for Eligible Professionals (EPs) and Eligible Clinicians (ECs).
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).
End-Stage Renal Disease Proposed 2018 Policy and Payment Rate Changes
CMS has issued a proposed rule that would update payment policies for the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS). The ESRD PPS proposed rule is one of several for CY 2018 that reflect a broader strategy to relieve regulatory burdens for providers; support the patient-doctor relationship in healthcare; and promote transparency, flexibility, and innovation in the delivery of care.
New Resources on QPP Website to Aid Clinicians Participating in MIPS
CMS has posted new resources on the Quality Payment Program website to help clinicians successfully participate in the first year of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
