News + Information
CAFP will keep you up-to-date on the latest news and information regarding MACRA, payment reform and similar topics. Check this page for links to timely articles, blogs, commentary, and releases.
OIG: Provider support, health IT needed for MACRA implementation
MACRA implementation has been a major priority for CMS in the past year, but the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently found several challenges that could impede Quality Payment Program success.
CAFP Hosts a Tour of the QPP Website
CAFP hosted a webinar with Ashby Wolfe, MD, MPP, CMS Medical Director for District IX and Leah Newkirk, LSN Health Strategies, on MACRA, the new Quality Payment Program website and CAFP's work to help members prepare. We want ALL California family physicians submitting data in 2017 and avoiding a payment penalty. Learn about the Quality Payment Program and its two tracks for physicians -- the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).
On October 27, 2016 AAFP released a five-page Executive Summary of the CMS's final MACRA ruling. Family physicians across the country can be slightly less anxious about their future as we have some guidance as to what is expected during the nation's transition to value-based payment models.
The long and complicated final rule is a roadblock to many, including this family physician who posted a comment after the AAFP News story about the final rule was published online. The doctor, Andrea M DeSantis, DO, began by saying, "I was going to print off and read the final rule for MACRA but was daunted by the 2,200+ page length of the document." The authors of the summary condensed the really important details into five pages.
MACRA Ready is the AAFP's support center to assist family physicians in with all elements of MACRA implementation. The site includes a wide array of materials and activities for you and your practice.
On October 14, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule implementing the Quality Payment Program. CMS also launched a Quality Payment Program website designed to help providers understand the Program and a Quality Payment Program Overview Fact Sheet, which is a terrific starting point for physicians interested in learning more. CAFP urges California family physicians to explore the website.
In the final rules, CMS released the final Quality Measures and Clinical Performance Improvement Activities. These documents, from the final rules publication, are available on the CMS Quality Payment Program site and this MACRA Playbook site.
AAFP in the Trenches is a blog from Shawn Martin, the Academy's Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy. In his October 25 blog, Mr. Martin provides a high-level summary of the MACRA final rules and criteria for participation. Mr. Martin will provide in-depth analysis in the coming months.