Year 2 of the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) began on Jan. 1, 2018, and requires eligible physicians to participate in either the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) or in an advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM). MIPS-eligible clinicians who do not participate in either track in 2018 will receive a 5 percent penalty applied to their 2020 Medicare reimbursement. 

The AMA has offered a plan outlining 10 key steps physicians should take on MIPS this year. (Note: AMA confirms this document should say that nonparticipation in 2018, not 2017, will earn a 5 percent penalty in 2020.)  Read more on Medicare payment changes.

Free QPP help for small practices Assistance with MIPS reporting is available at no charge to Indiana groups with 15 or fewer clinicians, including small practices in rural locations, health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas. Learn more about the QPP Resource Center.