CMS seeks comments to inform implementation of new physician/EP payment model

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seeks comments to inform its implementation of changes to Medicare payment for physicians and eligible professionals under Section 101 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. Section 101 repeals the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate methodology for updates to the physician fee schedule, and replaces the SGR with a Merit-based Incentive Payment System for eligible professionals. It also sunsets payment adjustments under the Physician Quality Reporting System, Value-Based Payment Modifier and Electronic Health Records Incentive Program, and consolidates aspects of those programs into MIPS. In addition, the law provides incentive payments for certain EPs who participate in alternative payment models. The Request for Information will be published in the Oct. 1 Federal Register, with comments accepted for 30 days.