Marks for the new Quality Payment Program (QPP) final rule for 2018 are largely dependent on who you ask, as industry groups have expressed mixed reactions to CMS’s recently released final regulations.
While physician practice organizations have applauded “flexibility” for small practices and the continuation of “transition year” policies from 2017, other groups representing larger physician organizations are critical of continued exemptions and the slow pace of implementation. (See here and here for more insight.)
Practically speaking…
NextGen Healthcare clients eligible under the QPP in 2018 need to be aware of new MIPS rules and thresholds, as well as options for participating in advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).
Here are just a few key provisions of the rule pertaining to 2018 reporting:
- Weighting for MIPS Cost performance category changed from 0% to 10%
- MIPS performance threshold raised to 15 points (needed to avoid negative payment adjustment)
- Flexibility to use 2014 Edition and/or 2015 Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) for the Advancing Care Information performance category
- Automatic weighting of Quality, Advancing Care Information, and Improvement Activities performance categories at 0% for clinicians impacted by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria and other natural disasters.
- Addition of five bonus points for small practices
- MIPS eligibility for groups with ≤$90,000 in Part B allowed charges or ≤200 Medicare Part B beneficiaries.
MIPS 2018 Reporting … Deeper Dives
In addition to the above rule changes, CMS has finalized specific changes to MIPS performance category rules and measures for 2018.
Join us for two special editions of the Health Reform Simplified webinar.
- Thursday, December 14 – MIPS ACI and Improvement Activities performance categories
- Thursday, January 18 – MIPS Quality and Cost performance categories
For more information:
- Quality Payment Program final rule
- Overview and executive summary of the final rule