PQRS: MACRA changes possible and could affect PQRS in 2017
August 15, 2016
Written by Sarah Leake
MACRA Committee Hearing and Ensuring Successful Implementation
On July 13 a Senate Finance Committee Hearing was held with Chairman Orrin Hatch delivering the opening statements. One of note is the Senate’s awareness of the impact this may have on the clinicians. “We recognized the inherit challenges of these types of practices when we crafted the MACRA statute, and I know CMS is aware of these issues, but we need to make sure that the law is implemented in a way that works for these physicians and ensures that these practice settings remain viable options for Medicare beneficiaries.”
Also a statement by Senator Ron Wyden, “First is to make sure all doctors who care for our seniors get fair treatment under these new rules. That’s particularly important for the small or solo practitioners who are truly the backbone of rural communities.”
CMS received 3875 comments during the public comment period on the proposed rule and they are currently reviewing and expect to issue final rulemaking in November. Andy Slavitt, CMS Acting Administrator expressed that the stakeholder feedback was valuable in developing the proposed rule and will also be so for the final regulation. Senator Hatch pointed out that once the final rule is released there are only 2 months before the program goes live and asked if there are any options CMS is considering. Andy Slavitt responded that CMS does remain open to multiple approaches such as alternative start dates or looking at whether shorter reporting periods can be used.
There is sure to be more important news on MACRA timing and implementation which will most likely impact your current MU and quality reporting. HTS will continue to monitor the information on the Quality Payment Program and share through our newsletters, webinars, blogs or events. For specific questions, please contact any Mountain-Pacific HTS consultant.
Leave a reply, ask a question or share information using the “Leave a Reply” section below, or email Sarah Leake directly with your questions or comments.
Subscribe to the HTS PQRS Blog
Subscribe
See a list of upcoming webinars
Check out any webinars you missed
Leave a Reply