Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Physician Notes:

HHS Offers MIPS Assistance To Small Practices

In an effort to reach out to the little guy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on June 20 that it will be offering assistance to “Medicare clinicians in individual or small group practices of 15 clinicians or fewer” with the onset of the MACRA-backed initiative, Quality Payment Program.

HHS has pledged over $20 million toward education and resources to train and aid providers with the new MIPS pay-for-performance system, which goes live on Jan. 1. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the financial award through the HHS website.

“Organizations receiving the funding would support small practices by helping them think through what they need to be successful under the Quality Payment Program, such as what quality measures and/or electronic health record (EHR) may be appropriate for their practices’ needs,” states the HHS June 20 press release. “Organizations would also train clinicians about the new clinical practice improvement activities and how these new activities could fit into their practices’ workflow, or help practices evaluate their options for joining an Alternative Payment Model.”

Resource: For a closer look at the HHS press release and information about applying for the Quality Payment Program funding, visit http://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2016/06/20/hhs-announces-major-initiative-help-small-practices-prepare-quality-payment-program.html.