On Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services releases the final version of its physician Quality Payment Program under MACRA. The final version makes 2017 a “transition year” and adds flexibility through a 90-day reporting to the program.
What you need to know:
- The rule cements the two payment tracks already proposed. First, physicians can participate in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System track, basing payment on clinical performance, practice improvement, reporting and technology use. However, the final rule makes official the “pick your pace provision” that allows providers a slower entry into the model if they are not quite prepared to handle all aspects of the program. CMS is offering physicians a flexible performance period at the beginning.
- Under the rule, CMS will set aside $20 million a year for five years to help support and train physicians in practices with 15 or fewer doctors.
- The agency also said it will make 2017 a transition year, which would mean 2018 payments would not be affected by that year’s performance. The law would still go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.
CMS also launched a website to help explain the breakdown of components:https://qpp.cms.gov/For more information or for help getting started with your transition plan, contact your Dean Dorton advisor or:
Adam Shewmaker, ashewmaker@ddafhealthcare.com
Porter Roberts, proberts@deandorton.com
