In tandem with its final rule on MACRA, CMS announced plans to cut the physician's administrative burden, according to a Medscape report.
Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt reported in a media email that the agency plans to work with clinicians to update Medicare regulations, policies and interactions to address the administrative burden as the quality payment program under MACRA is rolled out.
Here are five things to know:
1. CMS launched a pilot program designed to reduce medical review for some physicians. The pilot will be 18 months and aims to keep quality high while eliminating excess documentation requirements.
2. The providers practicing under specific advanced alternative payment models aren't subject to medical review and requesting documentation from physicians will be a low priority for CMS auditors.
3. The Next Generation ACOs, Pioneer ACOs, track two and three ACOs in the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Oncology Care Model 2-sided track participants are eligible to become advanced APMs and participate in the pilot running from Jan. 1, 2017 to June 1, 2018.
4. The pilot aims to cut the post-payment medical reviews. The agency will add prepayment medical reviews on April 1, 2017.
5. The CMS regional offices are holding local meetings around the country to gather additional physician input over the next six months.