CMS understands that the transition from legacy incentive programs like meaningful use and PQRS to MIPS will be a burden to many clinicians. To alleviate some of the anxiety, CMS is allowing you to "pick your pace" in 2017. This flexibility will allow clinicians to dip a toe in the water without the fear of a payment penalty or jump in with both feet and possibly earn a higher bonus. The choice is yours!
Note: MIPS payment incentives and penalties apply only to MIPS-eligible clinicians. Ineligible clinicians are exempt from participating in MIPS in 2017 and 2018. to determine your eligibility refer to the related article listed below.
Don't Participate
If you're an eligible clinician, and you don't participate in MIPS in 2017 or submit any data, you will be subject to a 4% Medicare payment penalty in 2019. This penalty does not apply to clinicians who are not required to participate in MIPS in 2017.
Submit Something
Under this option, you will test MIPS participation. You will not be subject to a payment penalty in 2019, but you won't be eligible for an incentive either. To submit the minimum amount, report one of the following:
- 1 Quality measure
- 1 Improvement Activity
- 4 required transitional Advancing Care Information measures
Submit a Partial Year
Under this option, you will attest to 90 days' participation, just as you may have done for meaningful use. You will qualify for a small incentive payment in 2019. To submit a partial year, report one of the following for 90 consecutive days: