Considering a Virtual Group for 2019 MIPS Participation?

Time is short, so register today for the Aug. 27 webinar scheduled from 2-3 p.m. EDT. During the CMS-hosted event, the moderator will provide information about the virtual group election process and agreement form, reporting requirements, and more.

Time has been set aside for questions at the end of the webinar. CMS will post the slide deck, recording and transcript after the event.

As physicians know, they can participate in the 2019 MIPS in one of three ways -- as individuals, as part of a group or by joining a virtual group.

The AAFP has long supported the concept of virtual groups because they offer small independent practices a better chance of success in MIPS by pooling their patient data with that of other practices. The aim is to level the playing field for small practices.

According to CMS' definition, a virtual group combines at least two taxpayer identification numbers for the performance year. These can include one or more MIPS-eligible solo practitioners or one or more groups of 10 or fewer clinicians where at least one is eligible for MIPS.

In conjunction with the webinar, the agency also has released the 2019 version of its Virtual Groups Toolkit. In that resource, users will find a fact sheet that provides a broad overview, details about the 2019 election process, a sample election submission email and a template for a virtual group agreement form.

Physicians who choose the virtual group option for the 2019 MIPS performance year must follow the election process described in the above documents.

The individual designated as the group's official representative will submit the group's election to CMS via email between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.