Physicians who participated in the 2019 edition of Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) through alternative payment models (APMs) can finally log in and see details on their incentive payment, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
In a June 25 statement, CMS said qualifying APM participants will begin receiving their 5% incentive payments for 2019 “this month.” The agency has published information on APM incentive payments on the QPP website, where participants can log in to view those details.
Medicare assesses incentive payments (or penalties, for those who don’t meet the program’s benchmarks) two years after the performance year. So, 2021 is the “payment year” for performance year 2019.
“CMS has taken time to ensure correct payments and information are available during the 2021 payment year,” the agency said in the statement. The agency’s process “includes verifying eligible clinicians’ advanced APM participation and the calculation of the APM incentive payment.”
CMS says those who have earned an APM incentive payment don’t need to do anything to receive it, unless CMS can’t verify your Medicare billing information. If you don’t receive it, the agency recommends you find your name on this public notice (instructions included) indicating you must verify your billing information. You must verify it by Nov. 1 for CMS to issue your payment.
CMS has also posted a ZIP file containing learning resources on earning qualified APM participant status and APM incentive payments. The file contains a fact sheet on 2021 incentive payments, a Quick Start Guide for clinicians who may be qualified APM participants in the 2021 performance year, and more.
Last Updated On
July 01, 2021
Originally Published On
July 01, 2021