Providers who want to recommend changes or additions to the current specialty measure sets under the merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS) should mark their calendars: You have until Feb. 9 to let CMS know about any changes you'd like to see for the 2019 MIPS reporting year.
Currently, CMS provides 35 specialty measure sets for a wide range of providers, from allergists/immunologists to vascular surgeons. You can
find current measure sets under the "Quality Measure Specifications supporting documents" link on CMS' Quality Payment Program website. (Note: After downloading the zip file, select the "2018-measure-list.xlsx" spreadsheet. This file allows you to filter measures by specialty group.)
Any suggestions you may make to define the 2019 specialty measure sets "should be based on the established 2018 quality measures" as well as "potential new MIPS measures that are being considered for implementation." In December, CMS
released a list of measures that it said are under consideration for future MIPS reporting periods.
- The quality measure ID.
- Measure title.
- Supporting rationale and/or documentation that would support inclusion or exclusion of the current quality measure(s) from existing specialty sets or inclusion in new specialty sets.
"All recommendations submitted by the aforementioned deadline will be considered and assessed for possible inclusion in rule-making for the 2019 calendar year of the Quality Payment Program," states Quality Insights.
The deadline for suggestions is close of business on Feb. 9.