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:

http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-coding-billing-and-collections/macra-patient-engagement-cheat-sheet-no-3-patient-engagement-strategies-for-aco-mssp-success.html​

http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-coding-billing-and-collections/macra-patient-engagement-cheat-sheet-no-2-patient-engagement-strategies-for-mips-success.html

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/