Your 2021 QPP Performance Is about to Be Publicly Reported Review Your Data NOW

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just opened the Preview Period for 2021 QPP performance. This allows you to review your details before they appear on the official, and public, CMS and Medicare websites. Here’s a quick review of QPP and MIPS, as well as how to take advantage of this brief preview period.

What Is the Quality Payment Program (QPP)?

The QPP was created as part of the 2015 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). It aims to reward clinicians with incentive payments for providing high-quality and cost-efficient care. The QPP has two performance pathways: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (A-APMs).

Most groups and eligible clinicians will take part in MIPS, which is a performance-based payment system. Those who participate in MIPS will be scored on four performance categories. These are Quality, Cost, Improvement Activities (IA), and Promoting Interoperability (PI).

MIPS scores above 75 points result in positive adjustments in reimbursement, while scores under 75 points result in up to a 9% negative adjustment. That’s why focus and dedication on exceptional performance in the program is essential for your bottom line. Additionally, thorough MIPS audit preparation is also incredibly important, even if you’re just getting started. MIPS audits can occur up to 7 years after the current program, which is why we always help our clients prepare for them as part of our Regulatory Consulting service each and every year.

2021 Groups and Eligible Clinicians Preview Period

The Preview Period officially opened on November 21st, 2022. It will close on December 20, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). You can now preview your 2021 Quality Payment Program performance information before it appears on public clinician and group profile pages on Medicare Care Compare and in the Provider Data Catalog (PDC).

You’re able to easily access your secured Preview through the QPP website. For additional help with accessing the QPP website or obtaining your HCQIS Access Roles and Profile (HARP) user role, we encourage you to give us a call, reach out via email, or contact us online. You can also email the QPP Service Center at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or use the QPP Access User Guide to learn how to register with HARP.

Visit the Care Compare: Doctors and Clinicians Initiative page for resources about the 2021 QPP performance information available for preview, as well as the 2020 clinician utilization data that will be added to the PDC.

Finally, all 2021 QPP performance information planned for public reporting in 2023 will be added to Care Compare and/or the PDC after all targeted reviews are completed. If you still have an open targeted review request, then you’ll still be able to preview your 2021 QPP performance information during the Doctors and Clinicians Preview Period.

What Isn’t Available during the QPP Preview Period

Please note that Accountable Care Organization (ACO)-level data isn’t available for viewing via the QPP website during the Preview Period. MIPS-eligible clinicians who participate in Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs can preview performance information in their 2021 MIPS Performance Feedback.

Shared Savings Program ACOs can also review quality performance information in their previously provided 2021 Quality Performance Reports. The list of ACO performance information planned for public reporting will be available on the Care Compare: Doctors and Clinicians Initiative page.

Ask Us about the Quality Payment Program Preview Period

The Doctors and Clinicians Preview Period permits you to review key QPP performance details before the end of the year. If you have any questions about public reporting for doctors and clinicians on Care Compare, then please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’d be happy to explain in greater detail why this period is so important for you and your patients.