On October 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the highly-anticipated Final Rule implementing the Medicare physician payment reforms enacted as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).
CMS made several significant changes when promulgating the Final Rule to simplify requirements and provide additional flexibility for clinicians. In the Final Rule, HHS introduces a transition year, outlines support for smaller, independent practices, and expands eligibility requirements for Advanced Alternative Payment Models.
Of importance to small and independent practices, the biggest change in the Final Rule from the proposed is the protection of small, independent practices.
- For 2017, many small practices will be excluded from requirements set forth by the rule due to low-volume thresholds.
- The final rule indicates the low-volume threshold has been set at less than or equal to $30,000 in Medicare Part B allowed charges or less than or equal to 100 Medicare patients.
- CMS also finalized a plan introduced earlier this year to set aside $20 million per year for five years to help support and train physicians in practices with 15 or fewer doctors.
Click here for a high-level overview of the Final Rule.
Below are additional articles written for CAP members.
- Increased Flexibility for MACRA: Pick Your Pace
-
Merit-based Incentive Payment System Checklist: Steps You Can Take Now
Miranda Franco is senior public affairs adviser for Holland & Knight LLP.
This information should not be considered legal advice applicable to a specific situation. Legal guidance for individual matters should be obtained from a retained attorney. Questions or comments related to this article should be directed to communications@CAPphysicians.com.