Publications

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added a third low-volume threshold criterion for determining Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility for 2019. Clinicians and groups are excluded from MIPS if they:

• Billed $90,000 or less in Medicare Part B allowed charges for covered professional services during either of the two determination periods (October 1, 2017–September 30, 2018, or October 1, 2018–September 30, 2019)
• Provided care to 200 or fewer Part B-enrolled patients during either of the two determination periods
• New for
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Direct contracting creates a variety of pathways for health care providers and suppliers to take on financial risk supported by enhanced flexibilities. Because the model reduces burden, supports a focus on complex, chronically and seriously ill patients, and aims to encourage organizations to participate that have not typically participated in Medicare fee-for-service, Innovation Center models, or both, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates that this model will appeal to a broad range of physician and other types of health organizations. 

It...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Payment Program website has been recently updated to include 2019 Alternative Payment Model (APM) incentive payment details. See the CMS fact sheet for more information....

The American Medical Association voted at its Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates in San Diego, CA, to establish a Cannabis Task Force to evaluate and disseminate relevant scientific evidence to health care facilities and the public. The vote came after some discussion about confusion on the part of health care staffs how to deal with the issue given that many states have legalized the use of marijuana, yet it remains illegal on the federal level.

Rajeev Kumar, MD, FACP, CMD, Society delegate to the AMA, testified that the Society has discussed this issue and agrees that...