With the introduction of MIPS reporting in 2017, and the launch of MIPSPRO, now is the time to be considering efficient ways of fulfilling MIPS requirements. CMS is conducting a study with the aim of better understanding practice's experiences quality reporting that will satisfy the Improvement Activities Performance Category of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Applications for this study are going to be accepted from January 1 - 31, 2017.

Who should Apply?

In order to qualify for the study, clinicians or groups must be MIPS-eligible or submit other quality measurement data to CMS. Applicants should be willing and able to complete at least three survey questionnaires, participate in at least three focus groups,  and submit at least three quality measures to CMS. Quality measures can be submitted via the Quality Performance Category of MIPS, or through an alternative program.

What are the benefits of participation?

As we previously mentioned, participants will be awarded full credit for the Improvement Activities Performance Category of MIPS. This alone is enough to avoid the negative payment adjustment based on 2017 MIPS reporting (effecting the payment year of 2019). The Improvement Activities Performance Category is worth 15% of your total MIPS Composite Performance Score (CPS) by itself.

The Quality Performance Category, which the study is aiming to understand the impact of better, is worth 60% of your total MIPS CPS. In addition to guaranteed penalty avoidance, CMS and other study participants will provide direct feedback to participating practices concerning minimizing challenges with quality data collection and submission for the duration of the study.

To apply, prospective participants must fill out the application and submit it to CMSCPIAStudy@ketchum.com by January 31, 2017.