On June 20th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would implement changes to Quality Payment Program (QPP). The first payment year is scheduled to begin in 2019. As required by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, base payment rates for services under the Physician Fee Schedule will remain at 2019 levels through 2025, but beginning in 2019, the amounts paid to eligible providers will be adjusted according to the provider’s participation for one of two QPP tracks: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS); and Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM).
The proposed rule would continue to implement the QPP, but would generally ease requirements and extend transition timelines for providers, especially those in small and rural practices. This document summarizes major provisions of the proposed rule. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through August 18th. The rule is available here.