Get Help With MACRA Payment Reform

The federal government released its final rule on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) this past October, and reform of the Medicare payment system went into effect January 1. APA wants to help participating members adjust to this landmark transformation of the way physicians are paid for their services. Importantly, however, members need to be aware that many are exempt from reporting this year.

Initial analysis by APA staff of the final rule implementing MACRA indicates that the “low-volume threshold” defining the minimum patient volume required for clinicians to report is high enough to exempt many psychiatrists—particularly those in small group practices—from reporting in the first year. Specifically, a clinician or practice group that has “Medicare Part B allowed charges less than or equal to $30,000 or provides care for 100 or fewer Part B–enrolled Medicare beneficiaries” is exempt from reporting.

Nevertheless, it is wise for members to educate themselves about MACRA. To this end, APA has created a web-based toolkit that includes a webinar series for members that will help them understand and meet the requirements of MACRA and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

The APA Payment Reform Toolkit includes the following resources:

• MACRA 101 Primer.

• Detailed fact sheets on MIPS reporting categories: Advancing Care Information (use of electronic health records), Quality, Cost, and Improvement Activities, as well as MACRA Alternative Payment Models.

As information becomes available, the APA toolkit will also include resources related to special considerations and assistance for multisite practitioners and small and solo practices, as well as additional resources to help members prepare.

The webinar series is designed to walk members through the nuts and bolts of these changes and provides information on how they can be successful quality reporters and use the data to inform clinical practice.

• Quality Reporting 101: A How-To Guide for Psychiatrists

• Final Rule Overview

• MIPS Quality Category

• MIPS Advancing Care Information Category

• MIPS Improvement Activities Category

• Alternative Payment Models

The toolkit and webinars can be accessed at APA’s Payment Reform website. ■