MACRA Deadline: It’s Not Too Late to Avoid a Negative Payment Adjustment

In earlier blogs on MACRA, we’ve discussed a series of topics, including the flexibility in the first reporting year 2017 and the “Pick Your Pace” option in MIPS.

CMS recognized that practices will not approach the QPP in the same way and is treating 2017 as a transition year in an effort to make it easier for clinicians to receive a neutral or positive payment adjustment in MIPS. It is also allowing time for clinicians and CMS to build their capabilities and gain valuable experience.

One of the options in the “Pick Your Pace” transition year is for eligible clinicians to report for a minimum of 90 consecutive days of data to increase their chances to qualify for a positive MIPS payment adjustment and avoid the 4% reduction. In order to meet the 90 consecutive days of data submitted, practices need to start accurately recording relevant data no later than October 2, 2017.

To avoid a negative payment adjustment, submit a minimum amount of 2017 data to Medicare; for example, one quality measure or one improvement activity for any time in 2017.

Resources are available for download from our toolkit that provides data and checklists to help you succeed in new payment models.

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