The budget bill that ended the government shutdown at the beginning of February gave CMS the option to reign in certain aspects of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Now, CMS is offering a full activity credit to clinicians who participate in a study on the burden of quality reporting for the payment track. Here are five notes.
1. The study will analyze clinical workflow, data collection methods using different submission systems and challenges of collecting and reporting. It will also gather recommended changes.
2. Participants must complete a survey about their 2017 MIPS participation in April and May, and a MIPS planning survey in September and October. The study will involve a virtual 90-minute focus group between November 2018 and February 2019.
3. CMS will expect participants to submit data — including one outcome measure — for three or more measures in the MIPS quality performance category and meet minimum requirements. This data must be submitted by March 31, 2019, through any accepted reporting method.
4. MIPS-eligible clinicians can apply as individuals or groups through March 23 by submitting an online form. A limited number of clinicians not eligible for MIPS will also take part in the study. CMS will notify selected participants via email this spring.
5. The study has been announced in the midst of physician groups' complaints to CMS about reporting requirements.
