CMS asks for feedback on MACRA’s version of meaningful use

Clinicians have another chance to influence how the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) measures meaningful use, as CMS will be taking suggestions on new measures through June 30.

The agency is looking for changes to what is now called Advancing Care Information (ACI) under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The category isn’t as important for 2017 after CMS allowed “pick your pace” options for the first MACRA year, but the current notice looks ahead to rulemaking for 2019.

In the notice, CMS lists three priorities for proposed measures under the ACI category:

1. Build on the advanced use of certified EHR technology using 2015 Edition standards and certification criteria to increase health information exchange and continue improving program efficiency, effectiveness, and flexibility
2. Measure patient outcomes and emphasize patient safety
3. Support improvement activities and quality performance categories of MIPS

CMS also asks submissions to consider whether proposed measure would reduce administrative burden, duplicates existing objectives and is feasible to implement with existing or emerging functionality in health IT products.

Under current rules, once MACRA and MIPS are fully implemented, scores in the ACI category will make up 25 percent of a clinician’s overall performance score.