The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the QPP Participation Status Tool for the 2023 performance year. Clinicians can now verify their final 2023 eligibility for the Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS) by entering their individual National Provider Identifier (NPI) into the tool or checking their MDinteractive account dashboard. Clinicians can also check their eligibility in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) and preliminary MIPS status for 2024. This blog will guide clinicians through understanding MIPS eligibility and determining their reporting requirements.

On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, which includes updates to the Quality Payment Program (QPP). This blog summarizes the key policy changes affecting the traditional Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program, as well as changes in reporting for Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and expansion of MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs). While wrapping up your 2023 MIPS reporting should be a priority, it’s also important to stay informed of the upcoming changes that will impact your reporting during the 2024 performance year. 

The final blog in our five-part series, Mastering MIPS, reviews the Promoting Interoperability (PI) category. This category promotes patient engagement and the electronic exchange of information using certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT). In this blog, we provide an overview of the PI reporting requirements and share valuable tips to ensure successful reporting.

Part 4 of our Mastering MIPS series covers the Improvement Activities (IA) performance category in the traditional MIPS program. This MIPS category assesses your engagement in various healthcare improvement activities designed to enhance patient care 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.

Trying to decipher how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) calculates your Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Cost category score? We understand - the Cost component of MIPS is complicated! Part 3 of our Mastering MIPS series breaks down the Cost category within the traditional MIPS program. In this article, you will learn about the different Cost measures, how Cost scores are calculated, and actionable steps you can take to improve your Cost performance.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Final Performance Feedback for the 2022 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period. It’s essential to check your performance feedback now to view your final MIPS scores and payment adjustment information. If you believe there’s an error in the calculation of your MIPS payment adjustment a targeted review can be requested until 8 p.m. ET on October 9, 2023. This article outlines how to access your performance feedback to determine if you are receiving a positive, negative, or neutral payment adjustment and what steps to take if you have any concerns.

Part 2 of our Mastering MIPS series, reviews the Quality performance category in the traditional Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The 2023 MIPS reporting year is now half over, so clinicians should already be proactively collecting and reporting data on their Quality measures. In this blog, we will cover important topics about the Quality category, including an overview of the Quality reporting requirements in 2023, how Quality measures are scored, and tips for clinicians to select the best Quality measures for their practice.

On July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a proposed rule for the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). This proposal delineates changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program with the aim of helping Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) transition to a digital quality measurement approach and addressing concerns raised by ACOs and other stakeholders.

In our 5-part blog series, "Mastering MIPS," Part 1 offers effective strategies to improve scores for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2023. With many clinicians preparing to report for the first time in several years due to the end of the public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic, this series aims to provide guidance on successfully navigating the reporting requirements of the traditional MIPS program. First, let's explore steps you can take to optimize your performance and achieve better scores within the program.

During the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations (NAACOS) 2023 Spring Conference, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted its ambitious plan for transitioning fully to digital quality measurement. Their focus is on improving healthcare quality, aligning with the CMS Quality Strategy, reducing the burden on healthcare providers, and promoting health equity. In this blog post, we will discuss the CMS digital quality measurement transformation goals, Accountable Care Organization (ACO) engagement efforts, and lessons learned from these initiatives.