The American College of Cardiology Scientific Session on MACRA

The American College of Cardiology recently held the 65th Annual Scientific Session and Expo, where several sessions focused on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). During the session it was clear that CMS's intention was to only accept ACO's that accept risk in the APM model payments. Piecing Together the MACRA Puzzle One session, entitled Piecing Together the MACRA Puzzle, was hosted by Robert Furno, Nancy Foster, and Harold Miller. This session started out with a broad overview of the MACRA program, followed by a presentation on how hospitals are preparing for MACRA, and then a presentation focused on how to implement physician-focused alternative payment models under MACRA. The session ended with a panel discussion with all three presenters. As an overview, MACRA repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and changes the way the Medicare pays clinicians, while also streamlining multiple quality reporting programs into one new program (known as MIPS). MACRA will affect clinicians who operate under Medicare Part B, and the specific types of Medicare Part B clinicians affected by MIPS could possibly expand after the first two years of implementation. During the first two years, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists are affected. However, the Secretary may broaden the eligible professionals group to include others, such as: physical or occupational therapists, speec...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs