2017 kicked off CMS’ payment reform, MACRA, a new law that fundamentally changes how Medicare pays physicians and other clinicians who participate in the program. There’s been a lot of buzz around MACRA and the impact it will have on physician practices. CMS recognized this diversity and has lessened the reporting structure for 2017 allowing clinicians to pick their pace of participation for the first performance period.
During 2017, clinicians have four options for participation.
Option 1: Test the Quality Payment Program
As long as you submit some data, including data from after January 1, 2017, you will avoid a negative adjustment. This allows physicians to test the waters and prepare for boarder participation in 2018.
Option 2: Partial calendar year participation
This option allows reporting participation for a reduced number of days. Physicians who aren’t ready to begin reporting can start their reporting period later than January 1, 2017 and still qualify for a small positive adjustment.
Option 3: Full calendar year participation
Physicians can start reporting January 1, 2017, and submit quality measures for the entire year. Clinicians taking this option could qualify for a modest positive payment adjustment and will be well prepared for reporting in 2018.
Option 4: Participate in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model in 2017Rather than reporting quality data, the law allows participation in the QPP by joining an Advanced Alternative Payment Model like Medicare Shared Saving Track 2 or 3. Participation in an APM can qualify practices for a 5 percent incentive payment in 2019.
Participation is key for 2017. Clinicians who participate in one of the above options will not be subject to a negative adjustment when the payouts begin in 2019.
