MACRA
Reshaping Medicare Payment
The Quality Payment Program was recently released and continues to improve upon CMS’ transition year policies as well as address elements of MACRA.
The Medicare and CHIP Access and Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was signed into law in April 2015, replacing the long-dysfunctional sustainable growth rate (SGR) for updating Medicare payments to physicians. While moving past the SGR – and the annual threat of double digit cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates it carried – was a step forward, MACRA represents a sea change in Medicare payment policy.
The complexity and scope of the law and the new Quality Payment Program (QPP) it creates present a significant challenge to practicing physicians. ASPS has created these pages to help you learn about MACRA and find resources that can help you successfully participate in the new system it has ushered in.
Prior to release of the final rule implementing MACRA, ASPS took numerous steps in 2015-2016 to influence the rule making process as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, including:
MACRA Request for Information (RFI)
- Submitted a response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on behalf of the 7,000 U.S.-based ASPS plastic surgeons
- Participated in the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (the Alliance) and American Medical Association's (AMA) comments, respectively
Quality Measure Development
- Reacted to the proposed rule implementing MACRA's Quality Payment Program (QPP) and joined the Alliance, Physician Clinical Registry Coalition (PCRC) and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies' comments, respectively
- Coordinated with the AMA in calling for funding of quality measure development in May and October of 2015
- Joined in the PCRC on MACRA Funding for Quality Measure Development and:
- called on CMS to provide QCDR access to Medicare claims data
- encouraged the Senate Finance Committee to express concern that CMS did not provide QCDR access to Medicare claims data
MACRA Oversight Hearings
- Submitted ASPS testimony and helped develop Alliance testimony to the House Energy & Commerce Committee
- Assisted in crafting a list of recommended questions for the House Ways & Means Committee on behalf of the Alliance
- Directed ASPS comments to the Senate Finance Committee and assisted in the development of the Alliance's comments
Additional Comments
- Secured key role on CMS Episode-Based Resource Use Measure Clinical Committee
- Provided direct feedback to CMS on MIPS during two-part listening session
- Conducted 120 meetings on MACRA with congressional offices during the Southeast & Midwest Fly-In, the Essentials of Leadership Fly-In and the Northeast & West Fly-In
- Participated with the Alliance in attending congressional meetings on MACRA