HPI study shows radiologists at MIPS disadvantage

Impeded by a smaller number of radiology-applicable quality measures, in 2021 radiologists in radiology-only practices scored significantly lower on relevant Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) gauges compared with other specialties.In contrast, those in multispecialty practices scored higher in the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) MIPS, although they rarely reported radiology-relevant MIPS quality measures, instead tracking those relevant to other specialties, according to a research letter from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute (HPI) published April 3 in the American Journal of Roentgenology."Our results clearly show that radiologists are at a disadvantage in the MIPS program, with very few available measures, most of which are topped out -- meaning that scoring well isn't possible because average scores are too high," said study co-author Lauren Nicola, MD, CEO of Triad Radiology Associates and chair of the American College of Radiology's (ACR) commission on ultrasound.The MIPS was established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and took effect in 2017. It was an effort on CMS' part to offer economic incentive for providers to deliver quality and cost-efficient care. But since it began, it has proven tricky for radiology, the investigators noted, explaining that the specialty doesn't have as many MIPS measures as some others do."Unfortunately, the upside in MIPS is not equal across special...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Practice Management Source Type: news