CMS published three informative resources to guide eligible clinicians participating in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2017: a fact–sheet on MIPS participation, another on MIPS data reporting for clinical improvement activities, and a list of qualified registries available for reporting MIPS data.nnWith eligible clinicians transitioning to the federal program this year, these clarifying resources will answer many lingering questions regarding MIPS reporting for the Quality Payment Program under MACRA.nnThe MIPS participation fact–sheet offers a concise overview of who is expected to participate in MIPS, what participation entails, and the guidelines for voluntary participation. Additionally, the MIPS participation fact–sheet provides information on what is expected of clinicians practicing in rural areas (RHCs) or federally qualified health centers (FQHC).nnThe fact–sheet specifies RHCs and FQHCs are not required to participate in MIPS if they are billed as such, but clinicians practicing in critical access hospitals must participate. Further, the MIPS participation fact–sheet outlines who is exempt from MIPS and all special rules for certain MIPS eligible clinicians.nnThe MIPS improvement activities fact–sheet is designed to help clinicians understand the requirements of the MIPS clinical improvement activities performance category. Given these activities are an entirely new performance category, additional information is likely welcomed by clinicians.nnThis CMS fact–sheet lists which improvement activities eligible clinicians can choose from, how to submit information for this performance category, and what the reporting criteria are for receiving credit. The fact–sheet also lays out the scoring methodology for groups including the different weights of each activity and how these weighted activities translate on the point scale.nnFinally, CMS addresses scoring for alternative payment model (APM) participants and the procedure for submitting potential future improvement activities to add to the list of existing CMS-approved improvement activities eligible clinicians can choose in the coming yearsn
nThis article was originally posted on EHRIntelligence.com.