Sustainable Growth Rate

With the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) repeal passing earlier this year there was a collective sigh of relief. The 21% cut to Medicare payments was permanently taken off the table.  With the passage of the SGR fix CMS has also put a plan in place to simplify the Quality Reporting program.

As part of this new Quality Reporting program, Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, or MIPS, there has been a lot of talk about the penalties for non-participation in Meaningful Use, and PQRS disappearing in 2019.

On paper this is true but non-participation in the MIPS program will lead to a 4% Medicare part B payment penalty in 2019 up to a 9% penalty in 2022.

In order to avoid a payment penalty and perhaps be eligible for an incentive in the MIPS program you will need to be able to successfully report on Meaningful Use and PQRS. In addition you will need to participate in the Value Based Payment program as well as participate in some form of a Patient Centered Medical Home program.