In April 2015, the the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law, repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment system. In April of 2016, HHS Issued a Proposed Rule. In October of 2016, CMS Issued a Final Rule. Below are some resources to help you understand more about MACRA. We encourage you to send your questions about MACRA to ASN (info@kidneynews.org) or to suggest other resources that may be helpful to your colleagues.
In April 2015, the the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law, repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) physician payment system. In April of 2016, HHS Issued a Proposed Rule. In October of 2016, CMS Issued a Final Rule. Below are some resources to help you understand more about MACRA. We encourage you to send your questions about MACRA to ASN (info@kidneynews.org) or to suggest other resources that may be helpful to your colleagues.
AAFP MACRA Resources and FAQs http://www.aafp.org/practice-management/payment/medicare-payment.html Resources include timeline, and MIPS/APM comparison table.
AAPC - Transitioning Payment Methods https://www.aapc.com/blog/36845-macra-moving-from-volume-to-value-2/ A nice summary of the MIPS performance categories and requirements.
ACC MACRA Information Hub: http://www.acc.org/tools-and-practice-support/advocacy-at-the-acc/macra-information-hub
ACP MACRA Resources for Internists https://www.acponline.org/practice-resources/business-resources/payment/medicare/macra Includes a list of Top 10 Things You Need to Do for MACRA and a set of four videos providing an overview of MIPS and APMs.
ACP Glossary of MACRA Abbreviations and Terms https://www.acponline.org/practice-resources/business-resources/payment/medicare/macra/macra-glossary-of-acronyms-and-terms
ACR MACRA Resources: Understanding MIPS and APMs https://www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Resources/MACRA-Resources A nice compilation of background material, webinars and videos.
ACS Preparing for MACRA Implementation http://bulletin.facs.org/2016/02/preparing-for-macra-implementation/
AHA How to Implement MACRA http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/physician/index.shtml A variety of resources and webinars from the American Hospital Association
AHIMA MACRA, MIPS and Advanced APMs http://journal.ahima.org/2016/06/02/macra-mips-and-advanced-apms-time-to-prepare/
AMA: Extensive MACRA resource section now includes payment model evaluator: https://apps.ama-assn.org/pme/#/ as well as general info on final rule http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/topics/medicare-physician-payment-reform.page
AMGA MACRA Resources https://www.amga.org/wcm/MACRA/WIM/wcm/Advocacy/MACRA/macra_lm.aspx
ASCO Understanding and Preparing for MACRA https://quality.asco.org/understanding-and-preparing-macra
ASCRS MACRA Resource Center http://www.ascrs.org/macracenter Provides a nice overview of the MACRA performance categories, FAQs and a checklist.
ASGE MACRA Resource Section http://www.asge.org/macra/ Includes detailed summaries of Quality Performance Category, MIPS Clinical Improvement Activities, MIPS Resource Use and Advanced Care Information
ASN: The Final Rule is Out -- What's QPP and What Does It Mean for You? http://www.kidneynews.org/policy-advocacy/leading-edge/cms-issues-macra-final-rule
ASN MACRA Resource Page http://www.asn-online.org/policy/webdocs/page.aspx?code=mcr
ASN Comments to CMS http://www.asn-online.org/policy/webdocs16.6.27_FINAL_ASN_MACRA_Comments.pdf
Beckers: What you still need to know about MACRA http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/legal-regulatory-issues/what-you-still-need-to-know-about-the-macra-final-rule.html
Becker's Patient Engagement Cheat Sheets:
Brookings: How the Money Flows Under MACRA https://www.brookings.edu/research/how-the-money-flows-under-macra/ Comprehensive overview of how MIPS and APM scores will be determined.
CMS: Alternative Payment Model (APM) Toolkit: https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_How_to_Design_an_APM.pdf Interested in APMs? This toolkit provides a nice overview.
CMS: Measurement Resources -- https://qpp.cms.gov/education Information regarding MIPS quality measure documentation and resources specific to making the transition.
CMS: What's the QPP? https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs.html
CMS Blog: Updated Options for MACRA https://blog.cms.gov/2016/09/08/qualitypaymentprogram-pickyourpace/
CMS MACRA Resources: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs/MACRA-MIPS-and-APMs.html
CMS New Proposed Rule June 20, 2017: http://www.kidneynews.org/careers/resources/cms-released-proposed-rule-quality-payment-program-qpp-for-2018
CMS Physician Compare https://data.medicare.gov/data/physician-compare Remember that MACRA includes a build-out of information publicly available on Physician Compare. Check to make sure your information, and your practice's information, is correct.
CMS Risk Adjustment Fact Sheet https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeedbackProgram/Downloads/Risk-Adjustment-Fact-Sheet.pdf
EHR Intelligence: 3 Steps for Ensuring Provider Success https://ehrintelligence.com/news/3-steps-providers-should-to-ensure-success-under-macra
GAO Report on Challenges and Available Assistance for Small and Rural Practices http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/681541.pdf
Health Affairs: Breaking Down the MACRA Proposed Rule http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2016/04/29/breaking-down-the-macra-proposed-rule/
Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) http://www.himss.org/MACRA-resource-center MACRA resource center includes a comprehensive array of fact sheets on MIPS, APMs, and the performance categories by which physicians/practices will be "scored." HIMSS also provides a series of ten-minute podcasts on various aspects of MACRA.
Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network https://hcp-lan.org/
Heart Rhythm Society MACRA Resources http://www.hrsonline.org/Policy-Payment/MACRA-Resource-Center
MACRA FAQs http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/public-policy/medicare-payment-the-road-ahead/Pages/macra-faqs.aspx
MACRA: In Translation http://www.kidneynews.org/policy-advocacy/leading-edge/macra-in-translation ASN offers insights re what MACRA means for kidney professionals.
MACRA Matters Affecting Rural Providers http://www.racmonitor.com/rac-enews/2119-macra-matters-affecting-rural-providers.html Includes a list of 20 steps rural providers may want to consider.
MACRA: Take Charge, Protect Autonomy and Patients http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/how-physicians-can-take-charge-protect-autonomy-and-put-patients-first?page=0,2
Medical Economics: http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/tag/macra A variety of resources including reporting guidelines, and advice for small practices
Medscape: 12 Steps To Know Now http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868159 Provides summary of items clinicians should review as soon as possible.
MIPS Explained: Four Categories Physicians Must Master http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/mips-explained-4-categories-physicians-must-master
MIPS Status Tool: Now you can check if a clinicna who bills to Medicare will need to submit data to MIPS. Just enter your National Provider Identifier (NPI) number into the new tool. https://qpp.cms.gov/learn/eligibility
MMS column on MACRA http://www.massmed.org/News-and-Publications/Vital-Signs/MACRA--What-Physicians-Should-Know/#.Vw09gvkrJVM
National Council for Behavioral Health MACRA resource page http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/MACRA/ Includes a nice overview of what organizations need to do step-by-step to prepare for MACRA.
National Law Review Series on Making Sense of MACRA http://www.natlawreview.com/article/making-sense-macra-final-rule-part-1-3-essential-concepts
Physicians Practice Provides Step-by-Step Guidance for Implementation http://www.physicianspractice.com/healthcare-reform/macra-mips-and-apms-are-you-ready
MIPs and APMs -- A Look Ahead http://www.policymed.com/2016/12/part-two-more-mips-and-apms.html Policy and Medicine provides a detailed look at APMs with a nice chart outlining characteristics of APM and Advanced APM models
RPA/NNI -- The Road to MACRA: Strategy, Tactics for QPP. http://www.nephrologynews.com/road-macra-strategy-tactics-quality-payment-program-participation/
Texas Medical Association MACRA Resources https://www.texmed.org/MACRA/