“Pick your Pace” when it comes to MACRA, CMS Announces

CMS Acting Administrator, Andy Slavitt, announced yesterday in a blog post that CMS will allow for 4 options for implementation of MACRA, which replaces the repealed SGR, on January 1. Administrator Slavitt stated “During 2017, eligible physicians and other clinicians will have multiple options for participation. Choosing one of these options would ensure you do not receive a negative payment adjustment in 2019.” The 4 options for implementation will allow for partial and phased-in participation in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) so that you can fully understand the program before committing. If you choose to participate in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model, as long as you meet the threshold requirements for Medicare payments and patients, you will qualify for a 5 percent incentive payment in 2019. Details will be made available in the final rule, which will be release by November 1. Read the CMS blog post.