On October 14, the American Academy of Family Physicians issued a statement attributed to AAFP President John Meigs, Jr., MD, relative to release of MACRA rules. The statement reads as follows:
“The AAFP is pleased the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final rule implementing MACRA. The final rule addresses many of the concerns family physicians have expressed about the complexity of the program, the pace of implementation, new administrative burdens, and the usability of technology. The rule also accommodates physicians by providing technical assistance that will be valuable as they work to fully participate in the Quality Payment Program and its two pathways — the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or the Alternative Payment Models (APMs).
In particular, the AAFP is pleased that practices with low volumes of Medicare Part B patients are excluded in the first year and that family physicians will be able to move toward full participation without suffering penalties that will slow their progress.
The AAFP made several suggestions in response to the proposed rule, and it will closely analyze the final regulation to identify CMS action on those comments. However, our initial review indicates CMS has addressed many of our comments, especially in regards to support for small practices.
Several provisions will smooth the way for family physicians to participate in the MIPS or APMs. AAFP is particularly pleased the rule implements and provides additional clarification regarding the “pick your pace” program that allows practices to choose their reporting timeline for participating in the MACRA Quality Payment Program. This will be of particular value to small and solo medical practices. We welcome several other flexibilities that will help low-volume practices, such as exemptions from certain penalties and allowances for patient-centered medical homes.
The AAFP is also encouraged by the $20 million in funding over the next five years to pay for training and education for Medicare providers. This uniquely tailored assistance will help family physicians in individual or small group practices — as well as those working in underserved areas — identify appropriate technologies and quality measures, and help them evaluate their options for joining an Advanced APM. This support will allow physicians to focus on what they do best: taking care of patients.
The AAFP now can finalize preparing its members for fully participating in payment models of the future. The AAFP looks forward to continuing to work with CMS in ensuring physicians can successfully transform their practices under the new payment system.”