• Ten things to know as you prepare for 2017 MIPS reporting

    The deadlines are fast approaching if you plan to submit data for the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance period. The two key dates are:

    • March 16 at 8 p.m. ET for group reporting via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) web interface.
    • March 31 for all other MIPS reporting, including via qpp.cms.gov.

    Here are the top 10 things you need to do and know if you are an eligible clinician. This list focuses on reporting via the CMS's data submission feature, not on group reporting via the CMS Web Interface and not on individual reporting on Quality measures via claims submission data


    1.    Visit qpp.cms.gov and click on the “Sign-In” tab to use the data submission feature
    2.    Check that your data are ready to submit. You can submit data for the Quality, Improvement Activities, and Advancing Care Information performance categories.  
    3.    Have your CMS Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) credentials ready, or get an EIDM account if you don’t have one. An EIDM account gives you a single ID to use across multiple CMS systems.
    4.    Sign in to the Quality Payment Program data submission feature using your EIDM account.  
    5.    Begin submitting your data early. This will give you time to familiarize yourself with the data submission feature and prepare your data. 
    6.    The data submission feature will recognize you and connect your National Provider Identifier (NPI) to associated Taxpayer Identification Numbers. 
    7.    For group practices:

    • A practice can report as a group or individually for each eligible clinician in the practice. You can switch from group to individual reporting, or vice versa, at any time.
    • The data submission feature will save all the data you enter for both individual eligible clinicians and a group, and CMS will use the data that results in a higher final score to calculate an individual MIPS-eligible clinician’s payment adjustment.

    8.    You can update your data up to the March 31 deadline. The data submission feature doesn’t have a “save” or “submit” button. Instead, it automatically updates as you enter data. You’ll see your initial scores by performance category, indicating that CMS has received your data. If your file doesn’t upload, you’ll get a message noting that issue.  
    9.    You can submit data as often as you like. The data submission feature will help you identify any underperforming measures and any issues with your data. Starting your data entry early gives you time to resolve performance and data issues before the March 31 deadline. 
    10.    For step-by-step instructions on how to submit MIPS data, check out this video and fact sheet.  

    If you’re not sure if you are required to report for MIPS, enter your NPI in the MIPS Lookup Tool to find out. Additionally, if you know you are in a MIPS alternative payment model (APM) or an Advanced APM, you can use the APM Lookup Tool.   

    If you are in an accountable care organization (ACO) or other APM, you will need to work with your ACO or APM to make sure they have the patient information they need to report. Remember, you need to report Advancing Care Information measures on your own. 

    To help you prepare for submission, CMS will be hosting three “Office Hours” sessions over the next several weeks. CMS subject matter experts will answer commonly asked questions about the submission feature, as well as answer attendees’ questions live. Registrants can also email their questions prior to the sessions. Please note that space for these sessions is limited. The dates, times, and topics of these “Office Hours” sessions are as follows:   

    For questions about your participation status or MIPS data submission, contact the Quality Payment Program Service Center:

    – Kent Moore, Senior Strategist for Physician Payment for the American Academy of Family Physicians

    Posted on Feb 12, 2018 by Kent Moore


    Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the opinions and views of the American Academy of Family Physicians. This blog is not intended to provide medical, financial, or legal advice. Some payers may not agree with the advice given. This is not a substitute for current CPT and ICD-9 manuals and payer policies. All comments are moderated and will be removed if they violate our Terms of Use.