Customizable MIPS tool helps physicians build QPP strategy
How physicians participate and perform in 2017 will affect their Medicare payment rates in 2019, yet a recent survey found that most physicians don't consider themselves deeply knowledgeable about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new Quality Payment Program (QPP).
The AMA has acted on the findings by providing QPP resources on how to participate, avoid penalties and succeed, particularly under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) track. A new customizable resource, the MIPS Action Plan, helps physicians choose and implement a practice QPP strategy, fulfill regulatory requirements, avoid federal penalties and have an opportunity for performance-based incentive payments.
The MIPS Action Plan addresses key steps for 2017 QPP participation:
- Determine whether MIPS applies to you.
- Review available performance categories.
- "Pick Your Pace" for MIPS participation.
- Review your data.
- Decide whether to report as an individual or a group.
- Identify your reporting mechanism.
- Perform a security risk analysis.
- Report for at least 90 days (CMS deadline: Oct. 2, 2017).
- Complete MIPS performance (CMS deadline: Dec. 31, 2017).
- Submit 2017 MIPS data.
Physicians who have yet to participate in the QPP program or are new to quality improvement, to explore the interactive MIPS Action Plan and other free resources and tools. A more in-depth explanation of these steps is available in a supplementary frequently asked questions file.
On step two, for example, the FAQ file offers advice and strategies on which quality measures to choose. This includes opting for those that are most representative of your practice, such as ones that apply to the patients you see or the procedures that you perform frequently enough to ensure you have a minimum of 20 cases.
Advice is also given specifically for smaller practices as well as information on meeting minimum requirements to avoid a penalty or earning maximum points.
Read more at AMA Wire®.
