Opportunity for exemption from MIPS reporting

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a new demonstration project that offers physicians who participate in Medicare Advantage an opportunity to opt out of the Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

The new Medicare Advantage Qualifying Payment Arrangement Incentive (MAQI) demonstration project is designed to test whether exempting certain MIPS-eligible clinicians from reporting requirements can lower costs and improve care. It will be available to physicians who participate in certain payment arrangements with Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs).

The demonstration is designed to measure whether the MIPS exemption can:

• Increase participation in payment arrangements with MAOs that meet criteria for Qualifying Payment Arrangements
• Incentivize providers to transform their care delivery
• Change utilization patterns among participants in the demonstration

Criteria for participating in the demonstration include:

• Physicians must meet the combined thresholds for sufficient participation in Qualifying Payment Arrangements with MAOs and Advanced APMs, and
• Submit the required documentation demonstrating compliance with Qualifying Payment Arrangement Criteria, which are the same as Advanced Alternative Payment Model (AAPM) criteria under the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

Physicians who are interested in participating can apply on the demonstration’s webpage.

Applications will be accepted until September 6, 2018.