5 MACRA Takeaway For Providers In Independent And Small Practices

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have released a notice in which changes to the quality payment program has been proposed. For MACRA 2017 new rules has been introduced. The quality payment program has been established by MACRA and it would not be wrong to call it the transition year for the program.
Many providers in the independent and small practices are unable to understand the rules introduced by MACRA. The recently introduced rules consist of Merit Based Incentive Payment Systems for tracking the participation and the Advanced Alternative Payment Models. Some of the practitioners say that MACRA for 2017 consists of too much information too soon.
As the healthcare regulatory environment is continuously evolving, it is important for the physicians to know what is coming next so they can prepare themselves.
Here are 5 MACRA 2017 takeaway for the providers in small and independent practices:
1- MACRA is committed to preserving small clinical practices by helping the providers to succeed with MACRA
Several modifications have been proposed in the MACRA that will make the practitioner more successful. It has been assured that the modifications are easy to understand so that the practitioner can easily apply them to their clinical practices. Now the participation in the group of 15 clinicians will potentially increase. It would be easier for the medical practitioners to achieve their goals. Some of the modifications that small practices should consider are:
• For To the MIPS final score additional bonus points will be added
• Quality measuring reporting will become quick and accurate with the reduced data completeness features
• There are several hardship exception opportunities
• New categories for Advanced Care Information performance
2- The clinicians who use innovative technology will be rewarded through MACRA to improve patient care
It has been proposed by the authorities that the clinicians that have been using the MACRA since 2105 will now be rewarded with enhanced performance in the 2017 version and they will get the chance to win more bonus points.
Tips to get bonus points
In order to enjoy the bonus points you should follow the given tips:
• Participate in the end to end electronic reporting
• Only use the quality measured data
• Ensure that you upgrade to the latest systems as soon as they are introduced
• Use the evidence-based Appropriate Use Criteria to earn extra credit
• Use the decision support tools while furnishing or ordering the latest diagnostic imaging services
• Order services only for the specific clinical conditions
3- Under proposed MACRA scoring for 2017, the category of quality performance requires most attentions.
It is predicted that the coming year will be the year of performance. That is why quality performance category score is regarding as the king under the rules of MACRA. The popularity of the quality performance is 60% and that of cost performance is only 0%.
It has been proposed by the authorities that now 25% more weight will be added to the category of quality performance. It has been specially done for the clinicians who have been using hardship exceptions for the performance category of Advancing care
4- Clinicians have a path to quality payment program and beyond.
There are many Clinicians that have left their post in the patient centered medical homes and they have been certified. Now the MACRA will reward them with full credit that will help them to improve their performance. Under 2018 to 2021 version of the Medical Home Model Standards the minimum total of the potential risks has been reduced. It will allow the independent and small practices to be a part of the Advanced participation track. They will get the access to the quality payment program system.
5- Make sure your voice is heard through the voice of public
You must keep in mind that the only way to assure that you are being heard is that your patients provide you the best reviews. It will allow you to get the credit points that you deserve. You must assure that the feedback regarding your performance has been included in the MACRA. Remember that the rules have been changed for the quality payment program so now they will have a different impact on the way you practice.
It is important that you submit your comments and feedback before the deadline. It will provide you the chance to introduce the changes you want in the MACRA. The best thing about this procedure is that you and your patients can submit the comments online, as it is the quickest mean to engage the authorities.
The bonus points play a major role in the success of your business. You have to assure that you will get the points that you deserve so that you can enjoy the highest ranking in the MACRA.
Bottom line
There are small and independent practitioners that are using the services of MACRA and they are obeying the rules. It has been assured that the latest upgrade will bring some of the best changes and features that will help the clinicians to provide the best treatment and get the best reviews from their patients.
MACRA is a legal foundation and so all the rules you follow will be enlisted in your performance. In the end, you can enjoy the amazing benefits that come with the system. the entire quality payment system will be changed and it will have a positive impact on the clinicians that have been using the technology. All such devices and software will make the life of small practitioners easy.
It is important that once you start using MACRA services you have to be very careful regarding the introduction of the latest version and other features. MACRA will help the people to stay ahead of the competitors. It will help you succeed in a little amount of time without much hard work. It will make the small practices successful.
In MACRA 2017 many new modifications will be introduced that will affect the small and independent practitioners in a positive way.
Still confused about MACRA?
For comprehensive MACRA support visit MacraCare http://www.macracare.com
