Reimbursement: Report 2017 MIPS Measures Now to Avoid a 4% Pay Cut Later

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps readers understand whether they are subject to MIPS, what broad reporting categories are involved, and why timely reporting matters for future payment adjustments. It is especially relevant for practices trying to evaluate their 2017 participation strategy and avoid missing key administrative deadlines.

Article Sections

1. Deadlines and dates

   Introduces the transition-year timeline and the general reporting window for 2017 services. It also frames the article around Medicare payment timing and participation deadlines.

2. Threshold review 2017

   Summarizes which types of Medicare Part B clinicians are discussed and the broad eligibility thresholds referenced for the reporting program. It also notes the exclusion concept for clinicians who do not meet participation requirements.

3. Know the 4 MIPS Categories and Their Requirements

   Provides an overview of the four main MIPS categories and explains that performance in these areas affects payment. The section sets up the rest of the article’s category-by-category discussion.

4. Quality

   Describes the Quality category as the successor to an earlier reporting program and outlines the general reporting expectations for the transition year. It also references where measure options can be found.

5. Improvement Activities

   Summarizes the Improvement Activities category and its role in the overall MIPS scoring structure. The section discusses the broad types of activities and the reporting approach for certain practice settings.

6. Advancing Care Information

   Covers the technical reporting category used for Medicare reimbursement and the transition-year attestation options discussed in the article. It also mentions the general kinds of data elements and bonus opportunities associated with this category.

7. Cost

   Explains that the Cost category is not measured for the 2017 transition year and notes how it is discussed in later-year proposals. The section is limited to high-level program context.

8. Note the 2017 Pathways to MIPS Success

   Outlines the general participation pathways described for the transition year, ranging from no participation to fuller reporting. It frames the possible payment impact at a high level.

9. Look ahead

   Concludes with a forward-looking note about how Medicare payment policy may continue to evolve. It also places the article’s reporting discussion in a broader reimbursement context.