Article
This article discusses recent changes in Medicare.
The Department of Health and Human Services recently released a final rule governing Medicare payments,1 implementing a 2015 law that eliminated the sustainable growth rate formula, which will give prescribers enhanced flexibility to meet requirements that tie Medicare payments to patient care.
MACRA (the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) will implement a Quality Payment Program to reward providers for high-quality care.
Some points:
Note the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) costs $214 billion and is projected to add $141 billion to the deficit.
Reference
1. Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare Program; Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive under the Physician Fee Schedule, and Criteria for Physician-Focused Payment Models. https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/CMS-5517-FC.pdf.
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