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.

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.