--- title: Blog – The Healthmonix Advisor (26) description: The Healthmonix Advisor - A Blog for healthcare professionals, health systems, and hospitals (26) --- ![logo-light](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/logo-light.png "logo-light") - [Who we help](https://healthmonix.com/who-we-help/) - [Overview](https://healthmonix.com/who-we-help/) - [ACOs](https://healthmonix.com/acos/) - [Health systems](https://healthmonix.com/health-system/) - [Healthcare technology](https://healthmonix.com/healthcare-technology/) - [Physician practices](https://healthmonix.com/physician-practice/) - [Health system VPs](https://healthmonix.com/health-system-vice-presidents/) - [Chief financial officers](https://healthmonix.com/chief-financial-officers/) - [Chief medical officers](https://healthmonix.com/chief-medical-officers/) - [Chief quality officers](https://healthmonix.com/chief-quality-officers/) - [ACO executive directors](https://healthmonix.com/aco-executive-directors/) - [Solutions](https://healthmonix.com/prism/) - [MIPSpro](https://healthmonix.com/product/mips-pro/) - [Cost](https://healthmonix.com/product/cost/) - [ACO Impact](https://healthmonix.com/product/aco-impact/) - [Analytics](https://healthmonix.com/product/analytics/) - [Ambulatory Specialty Model](https://healthmonix.com/ambulatory-specialty-model-asm/) - [TEAM](https://healthmonix.com/team-program/) - [HealthConnect](https://healthmonix.com/health-connect/) - [Data integration](https://healthmonix.com/dataintegration/) - [Consulting](https://healthmonix.com/consulting-services/) - [Score optimization](https://healthmonix.com/score-optimization/) - [Patient matching](https://healthmonix.com/patient-deduplication-and-matching/) - [Outcomes](https://healthmonix.com/outcomes/) - [Company](https://healthmonix.com/company/) - [Our story](https://healthmonix.com/company/) - [Team](https://healthmonix.com/team/) - [Careers](https://healthmonix.com/healthmonix-careers/) - [Resources](https://healthmonix.com/resources/) - [Help and support](https://healthmonix.com/customer-support/) - [Healthmonix Advisor](https://blog.healthmonix.com/) - [Webinars](https://healthmonix.com/our-webinars/) - [Educational resources](https://healthmonix.com/mips-education/) - [Help and support](https://healthmonix.com/customer-support/) - [Contact us](https://healthmonix.com/contact-us/) - [Measures](https://healthmonix.com/mips-measures/) - [Quality](https://healthmonix.com/mips-measures/mips-quality-measures/) - [CMS specialty sets](https://healthmonix.com/cms-mips-specialty-measure-sets/) - [Promoting Interoperability](https://healthmonix.com/mips-measures/mips-promoting-interoperability-measures/) - [Improvement Activities](https://healthmonix.com/mips-measures/mips-improvement-activities/) - [Cost](https://healthmonix.com/mips-measures/mips-cost-performance-category/) - [Log in](https://healthmonix.com/login/) # Healthmonix Advisor ## [Yes, You Still Have to Report PQRS in 2016!](https://blog.healthmonix.com/yes-you-still-have-to-report-pqrs-in-2016) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on December 16, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/reporting-pqrs.png)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/yes-you-still-have-to-report-pqrs-in-2016) Last night, a very surprising article was promoted, "[CMS waves Physician Quality Reporting System penalties for 2017, 2018 after massive ICD-10 update clogs system](http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cms-waves-physician-quality-reporting-system-penalties-2017-2018-after-massive-icd-10-update)." This post makes it seem as if only the Value-Based Modifier (VM) program penalties and incentives would still be in effect based on PQRS reporting done in 2015 and 2016. This is a dangerous misconception. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/yes-you-still-have-to-report-pqrs-in-2016) 5 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/yes-you-still-have-to-report-pqrs-in-2016#comments-listing) Topics: [PQRS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pqrs), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) ## [Getting Started with PQRS Measure Selection](https://blog.healthmonix.com/getting-started-with-pqrs-measure-selection) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on December 9, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/ThinkstockPhotos-477805217.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/getting-started-with-pqrs-measure-selection) Once you've selected how you will report, the next step is to determine what you will report. This is called your **reporting method**. You have two options: reporting a measures group or reporting individual measures.  Last week, we discussed the first step to reporting PQRS in 2016, [selecting a submission mechanism](https://blog.healthmonix.com/2016-pqrs-reporting-made-simple). To briefly recap, there are three submission mechanisms that are viable for practices starting to report at this point in the year: Registry, EHR, and QCDR. Of these three options, Registry reporting has the highest rate of success and ease of submission.  [![Download An Info Sheet](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2017045/f23d4895-ca05-4c2e-a79a-c02f42bd3f4a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2017045/f23d4895-ca05-4c2e-a79a-c02f42bd3f4a) [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/getting-started-with-pqrs-measure-selection) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/getting-started-with-pqrs-measure-selection#comments-listing) Topics: [PQRS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pqrs), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) ## [PQRS Feedback Reports](https://blog.healthmonix.com/pqrs-feedback-reports) Posted by [Seretha Curry](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/seretha-curry) on December 2, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/feedbackrp.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/pqrs-feedback-reports) We call it “Informal Review Season”.  You could also call it “the Nightmare Vaguely Before Christmas” for  providers who bill Medicare Part B services.  The 2015 PQRS Informal Review season (this year September 26th through November 30th) is that most wonderful time of the year when practitioners and practice administrators nervously await the release of feedback reports in September.  Instead of children wondering whether or not they’ve made Santa’s list, you’ve got providers and practitioners feverishly paging through their QRURs to see exactly how naughty or nice they are, according to CMS.  (Note: Documents released in the fall of 2016 pertain to the 2015 PQRS or VBM reporting period).   [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/pqrs-feedback-reports) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/pqrs-feedback-reports#comments-listing) Topics: [PQRS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pqrs) ## [2016 PQRS Reporting Made Simple](https://blog.healthmonix.com/2016-pqrs-reporting-made-simple) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on December 1, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/2016%20pQRS.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/2016-pqrs-reporting-made-simple) Reporting PQRS in 2016 is just as important as ever, with up to 6% of your Medicare Part B reimbursements on the line in 2018. According to the latest PQRS experience report\[1\], about 66% of eligible providers are participating in PQRS. Of these participating providers, 68% are still reporting using the claims-based reporting mechanism, which has an abysmal 40% success rate in avoiding the PQRS penalty. Just taking these numbers into account, this takes us up to at least 61% of PQRS eligible providers not avoiding the PQRS penalty. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/2016-pqrs-reporting-made-simple) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/2016-pqrs-reporting-made-simple#comments-listing) Topics: [PQRS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pqrs), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) ## [5 Reasons To Be Thankful For MACRA](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-thanks) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on November 22, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Vectors/pacing_options_final_rule.png)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-thanks) Thanksgiving is almost here! For me, this means reflecting on the things in my life that I am thankful for. Along with the tasty food I am about to consume with my loved ones, this year I am grateful for the MACRA Quality Payment Program. This may sound perplexing to you, as the MACRA Quality Payment Program has been causing a lot of alarm in the healthcare industry since the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). However, with the release of [the final rule](https://blog.healthmonix.com/macra-quality-payment-program-final-rule) came many provisions that I believe will improve the ease of reporting for clinicians while continuing to improve the quality of care for patients. To briefly refresh before jumping in, the MACRA Quality Payment Program is split into two paths: the [Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)](http://www.mipspro.com) and [Advanced Alternative Payment Models](https://blog.healthmonix.com/advanced-apms) (Advanced APMs). MIPS streamlines pre-existing CMS quality initiatives (like PQRS and Meaningful Use), while Advanced APMs are designed to encourage innovative value-based payment models. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-thanks) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-thanks#comments-listing) Topics: [MACRA & MIPS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips), [Interoperability](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/interoperability), [Industry insights](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/industry-insights) ## [Top Three Questions about Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) Participation](https://blog.healthmonix.com/advanced-apms) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on November 21, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Vectors/MACRA_Post_1_Graphic_1.png)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/advanced-apms)  On October 14, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services release the [**MACRA Quality Payment Program Final Rule**](https://blog.healthmonix.com/macra-quality-payment-program-final-rule). According to the Executive Summary of the Final Rule, the aims of the Quality Payment Program are to : "(1) support care improvement by focusing on better outcomes for patients, decreased provider burden, and preservation of independent clinical practice; (2) promote adoption of Alternative Payment Models that align incentives across healthcare stakeholders; and (3) advance existing efforts of Delivery System Reform, including ensuring a smooth transition to a new system that promotes high-quality, efficient care through unification of CMS legacy programs."\[1\] [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/advanced-apms) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/advanced-apms#comments-listing) Topics: [MACRA & MIPS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy), [Eligibility](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/eligibility), [APMs](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/apms) ## [Bundled Payments: Part III](https://blog.healthmonix.com/bundled-payments-part-iii) Posted by [Lauren Patrick](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/lauren-patrick) on November 17, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Healthmonix_Budled_Payments.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/bundled-payments-part-iii) In past weeks, we’ve looked at some reasons why [bundled payments are taking off](https://blog.healthmonix.com/fundamentals-of-bundled-payments), and investigated a few specific [CMS bundled payment initiatives](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check-0) happening now and in the near future. This week we’ve put together a list of three steps you can take right now to make bundled payments work for you and your practice. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/bundled-payments-part-iii) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/bundled-payments-part-iii#comments-listing) Topics: [PRO Tips](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pro-tips), [Bundled Payments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/bundled-payments), [MACRA & MIPS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips) ## [Advancing Care Information in the Quality Payment Program Final Rule](https://blog.healthmonix.com/aci-final-rule) Posted by [Lauren Patrick](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/lauren-patrick) on November 17, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/touchpad.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/aci-final-rule) The MACRA Quality Payment Program final [**rule**](http://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2016/10/14/hhs-finalizes-streamlined-medicare-payment-system-rewards-clinicians-quality-patient-care.html), released Oct. 14, finalizes the payment programs for physicians under MACRA’s Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), beginning January 1, 2017.  [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/aci-final-rule) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/aci-final-rule#comments-listing) Topics: [MACRA & MIPS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy), [ACI Performance Category](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/aci-performance-category) ## [Bundled Payments Part II](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check-0) Posted by [Lauren Patrick](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/lauren-patrick) on November 3, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Healthmonix_Budled_Payments.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check-0) [Recently](https://blog.healthmonix.com/fundamentals-of-bundled-payments), we highlighted one of the fastest growing types of initiatives for improving the delivery of value-based care--the bundled payment model--and offered some popular opinions about why it is taking off. This week we’ll dive into some specific bundled payment initiatives past and present. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check-0#comments-listing) Topics: [Bundled Payments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/bundled-payments), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) ## [MIPS Final Rule Fact Checker](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check) Posted by [Christina Zink](https://blog.healthmonix.com/author/christina-zink) on October 25, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.healthmonix.com/hubfs/Blog_Graphics/Photos_and_Misc_Rastars/graph.jpg)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check) Healthmonix has hosted several MIPS webinars to help our clients and the wider community understand the program, and we have just completed our first MIPS-related webinar since the final rule was released in an unscheduled, but much anticipated manner. As I listened to our team present the webinar, I felt strangely akin to a presidential debate fact checker. With over 2,000 pages of new material, less than a week to process and present, and a fully booked webinar, the stakes had never been higher. [Read More](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.healthmonix.com/mips-final-rule-fact-check#comments-listing) Topics: [MACRA & MIPS](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips), [Policy](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) [Previous](https://blog.healthmonix.com/page/25) [All posts](https://blog.healthmonix.com/all) [Next](https://blog.healthmonix.com/page/27) ### Subscribe Here! ### Search the Healthmonix Advisor - [MACRA & MIPS (132)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/macra-mips) - [Policy (77)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/policy) - [PRO Tips (57)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/pro-tips) - [CMS (34)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/cms) - [Quality Performance Category (32)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/quality-performance-category) - [Industry insights (29)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/industry-insights) - [VBC (20)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/vbc) - [ACO (19)](https://blog.healthmonix.com/topic/aco) - 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