On Thursday, September 8, Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a blogpost detailing different options that eligible clinicians may follow for participation in MACRA in 2017. This decision follows comments submitted by ASA and other stakeholders on the MACRA proposed rule arguing for a flexible implementation timeline for providers. ASA applauds CMS for recognizing the need to grant flexibility to physicians seeking to participate in the new payment system.
In its original comment letters on the MACRA proposed rule, ASA argued that CMS should delay implementation of a new payment program under MACRA until at least July 1, 2017. Specifically, the comment letter noted that “The proposed timeline does not provide sufficient time for MIPS eligible clinicians and facilities that may employ clinicians to establish necessary procedures and systems to be able to begin MIPS performance data collection as of January 1, 2017.
In response to these and other similar concerns identified by other physician groups, CMS has announced its decision to provide physician anesthesiologists and others the flexibility and support needed to accurately transition to the new payment program, providing up to four options to avoid negative payment adjustments under MACRA in 2019.
ASA is pleased with the implementation transition options, which are consistent with ASA’s request for providers to have flexibility during the implementation of MACRA. ASA and its physician anesthesiologists look forward to working constructively with CMS to ensure a responsible transition to the new MACRA payment system.