Welcome to The ACP Advocate,
For many physicians, there are few bigger annoyances than trying to keep up with the so-called "meaningful use" requirements about electronic health records. ACP supports replacing the meaningful use requirements with something better -- a system that doesn't rely on arbitrary thresholds.
ACP responded to CMS in a 12-page letter this week. Check out today’s first article for details on the issue and a link to the letter. Also, ACP shared this release with the media yesterday.
In our second story today, we examine how physicians across the country are being urged by ACP to encourage their states to adopt new guidelines governing networks of physicians, hospitals and other providers. Released last month by NAIC (the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), ACP sees the proposals as a means to ensure patients’ access to quality care.
In other advocacy and policy news today, we look at how reining in skyrocketing prescription drug costs took center stage at AMA’s interim meeting, including resolutions on the issue co-sponsored by ACP. Other issues you’ll be interested in include physician burnout, the need for interoperability in electronic medical records, and funding for graduate medical education. Check out what happened at the meeting.
This is our last Advocate of 2015. Despite all of the trials and tribulations we all experienced this year, I want to wish you a Happy Holiday Season and good fortune in the New Year!
In our Jan. 15 Advocate, I’ll provide a 2015 year-in-review of ACP advocacy activity. The SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate) repeal and the adoption of MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) will be addressed along with our other efforts for the year. For more coverage of what's happening in Washington, take a look at my award-winning blog, The ACP Advocate Blog by Bob Doherty. You can also follow me on Twitter @BobDohertyACP.
As always, please send your feedback and suggestions on this newsletter to: TheACPAdvocate@acponline.org.
Yours truly,
Bob Doherty
Senior Vice President
Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
American College of Physicians |
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| About this newsletter |
| The ACP Advocate is an e-newsletter, edited by the College's Washington, DC governmental affairs division, created to provide you, our members, with succinct news about public policy issues affecting internal medicine and patient care. To learn more about ACP's Advocacy and to access the ACP Advocate archives, go to www.acponline.org/advocacy. |
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| In focus |
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Summary of 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule |
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ACP provides a summary of the components that make up the 2016 physician fee schedule final rule that was published by CMS in November. Final rates are effective starting on January 1, 2016 with some exceptions. |
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2015 Physician Quality Reporting System Winds Down |
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December 31st marks the end of PQRS for 2015. During calendar year 2015, all solo and group practice eligible professionals (EPs) should participate in the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). Group practices of 10 or more EPs that do not satisfactorily report PQRS data for 2015 are subject to a -4.0 percent adjustment in 2017 under the VBP modifier program. Solo and groups of 2-9 EPs must participate in PQRS in 2015 to avoid the -2.0 percent adjustment under the VBP program in 2017. These penalties are in addition to payment adjustments from the PQRS program and EHR meaningful use requirements. Successful PQRS reporters may qualify for upward, neutral, or downward adjustments under the VBP modifier program based on quality tiering and dependent on the size of the practice. |
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