CMS Seeks Input on New Payment System that May Offer Improved Health Care Access, Quality, and Outcomes for People with Disabilities

Comment Submission Deadline: November 2, 2015 by 5 p.m.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) is looking at different ways to pay healthcare providers. They are asking for input through a Request for Information (RFI) on implementing a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). This new system was enacted as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

As part of the MIPS, CMS is considering offering additional reimbursement to providers for improving quality, accessibility, and health care outcomes for people with disabilities or chronic conditions, dual eligible (people who have Medicare and Medicaid), as well as other groups which face barriers to care. Other proposed changes promote partnerships with community-based organizations. Sections of this proposal of particular interest are entitled Clinical Practice Improvement Activities Performance Category and Information Regarding Physician-Focused Payment Models.

Comments—both positive and negative—can influence the payment approach CMS and HHS Secretary Burwell ultimately adopt. Stakeholders concerned with health care for older Americans and people with disabilities should consider reviewing the proposed payment system and submitting comments.

The Request For Information includes instructions for submitting comments. Please note that all comments should reference file code CMS-3321-NC.
CMS also provided a set of Frequently Asked Questions related to the proposed payment system.