CMS proposes to increase PCP payments, to change EHR incentives
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would update the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2013, increasing payments to family physicians by approximately 7 percent and to other primary care providers (PCP) by 3 to 5 percent. Also, the proposed rule continued changes to the health IT incentive programs.
Specifically, the CMS’ proposed rule aims to reduce provider burdens imposed by quality reporting programs by changing requirements for its EHR and e-prescribing incentive programs, and by aligning multiple quality reporting initiatives according to the national quality strategy.
Intended to enhance care coordination, the proposed rule would require that the CMS make separate payments to community providers for coordinating patient care in the 30 days following a hospital or nursing facility stay, according to a July 6 statement.
The proposed rule also outlined a plan for phasing in the value-based payment modifier, a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provision that adjusts payment rates according to participation in the physician quality reporting system (PQRS), between 2015 and 2017. For physician groups of 25 or more providers that opt out of the PQRS, the proposed rule would reduce payment rates by 1 percent. Groups opting into the PQRS would have pay rates set according to the quality of healthcare provided and costs incurred.
The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed rule until Sept. 4, and CMS will issue a response and final rule on Nov. 1.
Read the complete proposed rule here.
Specifically, the CMS’ proposed rule aims to reduce provider burdens imposed by quality reporting programs by changing requirements for its EHR and e-prescribing incentive programs, and by aligning multiple quality reporting initiatives according to the national quality strategy.
Intended to enhance care coordination, the proposed rule would require that the CMS make separate payments to community providers for coordinating patient care in the 30 days following a hospital or nursing facility stay, according to a July 6 statement.
The proposed rule also outlined a plan for phasing in the value-based payment modifier, a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provision that adjusts payment rates according to participation in the physician quality reporting system (PQRS), between 2015 and 2017. For physician groups of 25 or more providers that opt out of the PQRS, the proposed rule would reduce payment rates by 1 percent. Groups opting into the PQRS would have pay rates set according to the quality of healthcare provided and costs incurred.
The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed rule until Sept. 4, and CMS will issue a response and final rule on Nov. 1.
Read the complete proposed rule here.