CMS Testifies at House Hearing on MACRA Implementation

The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee is holding a hearing this afternoon on implementing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which features witnesses from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Now entering its second year, MACRA’s Quality Payment Program for clinicians includes two payment tracks: advanced alternative payment models and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. In a statement submitted to the committee, AHA urged Congress to continue working with CMS to provide greater opportunity to participate in advanced APMs. “In addition, we urge Congress to consider changes to the fraud and abuse laws to allow hospitals and physicians to work together to achieve the important goals of the new payment models – improving quality, outcomes and efficiency in the delivery of patient care,” AHA said. “Finally, opportunities remain to improve fairness and reduce burden under the MIPS.”