In the ACO Spotlight Newsletter on August 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided updates on the Shared Savings Program’s requirement for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and their participants to report on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Promoting Interoperability (PI) performance category. This reporting requirement, outlined in the CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, is critical for ACOs participating in the Shared Savings Program, beginning in the performance year 2025.

Improvement Activities (IA) is one of the four performance categories required for reporting in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Understanding the correct combination of both high and medium-weighted activities to report is a crucial step in successful MIPS reporting. The Improvement Activities category assesses your engagement in activities that support the improvement of clinical practice, care delivery, and outcomes. This article outlines the IA reporting requirements, explains the importance of reviewing the IA descriptions and suggested documentation, and offers tips on selecting activities that are right for your practice.

On August 12, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Performance Feedback for the 2023 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period. Reviewing your performance feedback now is vital to understanding your final MIPS scores and payment adjustment details. If you suspect an error in the calculation of your MIPS payment adjustment, you have until 8 p.m. ET on October 11, 2024, to request a targeted review. This article outlines step-by-step instructions for accessing your performance feedback, evaluating your payment adjustment status—positive, negative, or neutral—and filing a targeted review if necessary.

The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is continually evolving, making it increasingly challenging for eligible clinicians to optimize their scores. Although the minimum performance threshold for 2024 remains at 75 points, reaching this goal requires meticulous planning and strategy. Our 2024 MIPS checklist offers essential tips to help you stay ahead of the game and achieve the best possible outcomes.

On July 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The proposed rule outlines CMS's plans for eligible clinicians and groups to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), Alternative Payment Models (APM), and other aspects of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) for the 2025 performance year. This blog summarizes the proposed changes and examines how they could impact MIPS reporting in 2025 and beyond.

On July 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The proposed rule includes several key changes affecting Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), as CMS continues its shift towards digital quality measures (dQMs). With the CMS Web Interface concluding after the 2024 performance year, the proposed rule focuses on the future of quality reporting by aligning with the Universal Foundation of quality measures and extending electronic Clinical Quality Measure (eCQM) reporting incentives. This blog summarizes the proposed changes and examines their implications for ACOs in 2025 and beyond.

Navigating the complexities of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) can be challenging, but understanding the Quality category is crucial for clinicians aiming to optimize their performance scores. As we approach the midpoint of the 2024 MIPS reporting year, clinicians should already be actively collecting and reporting data on their Quality measures. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it is not accepting hardship applications due to COVID-19 for the 2024 performance year, so some clinicians may find themselves reporting MIPS for the first time in several years and discover that a lot has changed. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the 2024 Quality reporting requirements, changes to quality measures, and tips for selecting the best measures for one's practice.

The MIPS Promoting Interoperability category focuses on the use of certified electronic health record technology to enhance patient access to their medical records and promote the transfer of data among healthcare clinicians. In this updated blog, we'll explore the latest PI reporting requirements for 2024 and offer tips to enhance reporting success.

We understand that keeping track of important dates for MIPS reporting can be a challenge, so we have prepared a list of key dates to mark on your calendars for your MIPS reporting. Knowing what to do, and when, throughout the calendar year can help you maximize your MIPS reporting.

The U.S. healthcare system has long struggled with establishing an efficient and effective process for storing and sharing patients’ medical information, but the adoption of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources standard, known as FHIR, is now paving the way for transformative change in this area. FHIR is not only a solution for the seamless exchange of health information but also can alleviate the burden on providers who need to adhere to various quality data reporting mandates. In this article, we'll explain what FHIR is, how it can ease quality data reporting compliance in programs like the Merit-based Payment Incentive System (MIPS) and the Alternative Payment Model Performance Pathway (APP), and what healthcare providers can do today to connect with FHIR.