March 29 update: CMS has extended the deadline to submit 2017 MIPS data from March 31 to April 3. Submit your data before 7 pm (central) on Medicare's Quality Payment Program website.
Earlier story: Your last chance to participate in Medicare’s 2017 Quality Payment Program (QPP), either through the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or an Alternative Payment Model (APM), is just days away.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says the deadline to avoid a 4-percent pay cut to your Medicare physician fee schedule payments in 2019 is March 31.
In fact, some of your options are already gone. The deadline to report via the Medicare Part B claims, CMS Web Interface, and CAHPS for MIPS survey methods has passed. The only windows that remain open are personal attestation or submitting data via an electronic health record, qualified registry or qualified clinical data registry. (See below for details.)
If you’re just now tuning in to the QPP, you’re not alone. TMA has heard from many solo physicians and groups who don’t know if they’re required to participate, which QPP track they’re in, what data to submit, etc.
If this is you, the Texas Medical Association is here to help with some easy steps and tips.
If you participated in an advanced APM in 2017, check the APM lookup tool and contact your APM administrator to ensure all required data specific to your model will be sent to CMS on your behalf.
To see if you’re required to participate in MIPS for 2017, check the MIPS lookup tool. If you’re not exempt, check the list of 53 Texas counties to see if you qualify for a separate MIPS exemption TMA won for physicians who practice in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
If you’re required to participate in MIPS, and because the deadline is only days away, TMA recommends you submit data using the test or “bare minimum” option. This means that some data is better than no data and will ensure you avoid the Medicare penalty.
For this option, you must do at least one of these things by March 31:
You may report 2017 data by March 31 by doing it yourself via the attestation process on the new QPP portal (free), using your electronic health record system (check with your vendor), and/or by using a 2017 qualified registry or qualified clinical data registry. For details on the data submission process, refer to this CMS fact sheet and TMF Health Quality Institute Q&A.
After you or your vendor submit data to CMS, check your performance scores on the QPP portal. All you need is at least 3 points in your 2017 MIPS final score to avoid a Medicare pay cut in 2019.
For more information, visit the TMA MACRA Resource Center. For questions, contact the QPP Service Center at (866) 288-8292 or by email at QPP[at]cms[dot]hhs[dot]gov. For free support and technical assistance, contact the TMF Health Quality Institute.