The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) not only repealed Medicare’s flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, but it also realigns many Medicare program requirements. Passed by Congress with strong bipartisan support, the law requires physicians to choose between two main pathways for payment beginning in 2019.
- Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)—a modified fee-for-service model intended to streamline and harmonize the current value incentives such as Meaningful Use (MU), Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Value Modifier (VM). Learn more.
- Alternative Payment Models (APM)—Physicians participating in payment models specifically approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), such as accountable care organizations and medical homes, can receive an annual bonus payment. Learn more.
Click on the links below to access information and resources to help you and your health care team prepare for the MACRA transition.
MACRA Basics
- H.R.2 – Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015: Read the bill here.
- SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act: A section-by-section summary of the policy provisions and payfors included in the bill. Click here.
- Society Webinar: MACRA: Medicare’s New Payment Model Impacts All Physicians (Available on demand, recorded August 18, 2016)
From the American Medical Association
- Understanding Medicare Payment Reform (MACRA)
- Checklist to Prepare
- Understanding MIPS
- Understanding APMs
From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Quality Payment Program Delivery System Reform, Medicare Payment Reform and MACRA
- CMS Resources: Fact Sheets, Webinars, Slide Decks and More
From the Texas Medical Association
Comments on Proposed MACRA Final Rule
From Medigram
- Society submits comments on MACRA proposed rule (June 23, 2016)
- Society meets with CMS acting administrator on MACRA implementation (May 12, 2016)
- CMS releases MACRA proposed final rule (April 28, 2016)
- Society submits comments to CMS on new payment models (Nov. 19, 2015)
- Society participates in AMA-led payment reform task force (Oct. 1, 2015)
- Society selected to participate on AMA’s new Medicare Physician Payment Reform Committee (July 9, 2015)
- US Senate passes historic measure to repeal SGR (April 15, 2015)
- Historic SGR vote in the House; bill now awaits action by the Senate (March 26, 2015)