Our 2016 predictions: Right on lagging ACP use, MIPS; result of some predictions murky

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps coding, compliance, and practice management audiences understand the direction of Medicare reimbursement and reporting policy during a period of major transition. It also highlights which areas of care delivery and documentation were gaining traction and which remained unsettled.

Article Sections

1. Predictions: How we did

   An overview of the year-in-review format and the major policy and operational themes being assessed.

2. Advance care planning and outsourcing

   Discussion of adoption patterns and market response around new Medicare-related planning services.

3. Value-based modifier and quality reporting

   Assessment of how physicians and groups were expected to fare under existing value-based payment adjustments and reporting programs.

4. Merit-based incentive payment system and the Quality Payment Program

   Coverage of the shift from prior quality programs toward the new Medicare payment framework and its core components.

5. Meaningful use, stage 3, and advancing care information

   Review of electronic health record incentive trends and how federal policy was changing the reporting landscape.

6. EHR capabilities and natural language processing

   Notes on emerging technology capabilities in health records systems and their expected development path.

7. Alternative payment models and value-based contracting

   Summary of participation trends in Medicare and other value-oriented payment arrangements.

8. Bonus prediction for 2017

   A brief look ahead at anticipated Medicare code and payment changes for the following year.