CMS to give providers more options for complying with MACRA

Editor's Note

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on September 8 announced that it will give physicians and other clinicians more options in the first year to comply with the new Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) quality payment program. 

During 2017, providers will be able to choose from several options to satisfy requirements and not receive a negative payment adjustment in 2019:

• Submit some data to the Quality Payment Program to avoid a negative payment adjustment.
• Submit Quality Payment Program information for less than a full year and still qualify for a small positive payment adjustment.
• Participate for the full calendar year and potentially qualify for a modest positive payment adjustment.
• Participate in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model and potentially qualify for a 5% incentive payment.

More details on these options will be provided in the MACRA final rule, which will be released by November 1.

By Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of CMS As the baby boom generation ages, 10,000 people enter the Medicare program each day. Facing that demand, it is essential that Medicare continues to support physicians in delivering high-quality patient care. This includes increasing its focus on patient outcomes and reducing the obstacles that make it harder for...