ICYMI, here is recent communication from CMS.
Changing of the Guard: We are currently waiting on confirmation of the new Secretary of HHS and the Administrator of CMS. You can find all the current leadership for HSS on HHS.gov.
CMS Releases 2021 Final Rule for the Quality Payment Program – CMS published the final policies for the 2021 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) via the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule.
Reminder: Upcoming MIPS Important Dates and Deadlines
CMS would like to remind clinicians of important upcoming Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) dates and deadlines:
- February 1, 2021 – 2020 Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application period closes. Clinicians, groups, and virtual groups who believe they are eligible for this exception may apply, and if approved, will qualify for a re-weighting of one or more MIPS performance categories. CMS will notify applicants via email whether their requests are approved or denied. If approved, the exception will be added to the QPP Participation Status Tool.
- New: CMS has finalized that for the 2020 performance year, Alternative Payment Model (APM) Entities may submit Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances applications as a result of COVID-19. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on Quality Payment Program participation, see the Quality Payment Program COVID-19 Response webpage.
- March 1, 2021 – Deadline for CMS to receive 2020 claims for the Quality performance category. Claims must be received by CMS within 60 days of the end of the performance period. Deadline dates vary to submit claims to the MACs. Check with the MACs for more specific instructions.
- March 31, 2021 – 2020 MIPS performance year data submission window closes.
All Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program participants, the deadline to submit 2020 data is March 1, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET. Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program participants are required to register and attest through the QualityNet Secure Portal.
Events
- Register to Hear Important Updates to CMS Quality Programs on January 26 – CMS Quality Programs Bi-Monthly Forum will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2:30 – 3:30 pm ET. During this webinar, attendees will learn important updates relevant to CMS’s Quality Measurement and Value-Based Incentives Group (QMVIG). The forum will also provide stakeholders with the opportunity to ask CMS subject matter experts questions on quality reporting programs and initiatives that directly impact their organizations. Register for this event.
- Save The Date! 2021 CMS Quality Conference – March 2-3, 2021. This will be a vitural conference. Learn more.
Claims, Pricers & Codes
- ICD-10 Code Files for FY 2021 – In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, new ICD-10 codes are effective January 1: 21 procedure codes (ICD-10-PCS): CMS will implement new codes to describe the introduction or infusion of therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for COVID-19 treatment; 6 diagnosis codes (ICD-10-CM): CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
- COVID-19: PC-ACE Software Vaccine Roster Billing Issue – Part B providers: When you select a roster bill for a COVID-19 vaccine in PC-ACE 4.8.100 software, it inappropriately auto-populates HCPCS code G0008 on the claim for the administration. This code is valid for traditional roster billing vaccines like pneumococcal and flu but not for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Your Medicare Administrative Contractor will provide updated PC-ACE 4.9 software. Download the update to ensure proper billing of roster-billed COVID-19 vaccines.
CMS COVID Provider Toolkit – CMS released a set of toolkits for providers, states and insurers to help the health care system prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine. These resources are designed to increase the number of providers that can administer the vaccine and ensure adequate reimbursement for administering the vaccine in Medicare, while making it clear to private insurers and Medicaid programs their responsibility to cover the vaccine at no charge to beneficiaries. In addition, CMS is taking action to increase reimbursement for any new COVID treatments that are approved by the FDA.
CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit – Medical centers, clinics, and clinicians can use or adapt these ready-made materials to build confidence about COVID-19 vaccination among your healthcare teams and other staff.
MLN Matters Articles
- CMS revised MLN Matters Article MM12011 on Implementation of Changes in the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) and Payment for Dialysis Furnished for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in ESRD Facilities for Calendar Year (CY) 2021 (PDF).
- FAQs on the 3-Day Payment Window for Services Provided to Outpatients Who Later Are Admitted as Inpatients
- Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Annual Update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule and Services Subject to Reasonable Charge
- 2021 Annual Update of Per-Beneficiary Threshold Amounts
- CY 2021 Update for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule
- Summary of Policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount and Telehealth Services List, CT Modifier Reduction List, and Preventive Services List
- International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)–April 2021 — Revised
From CMS Innovation Center
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center, also known as “CMMI,” develops and tests new healthcare payment and service delivery models.
Announced: Part D Payment Modernization Model
In January 2020, the CMS Innovation Center began the Part D Payment Modernization Model to test the impact of a revised Part D program design and incentive alignment on overall Part D prescription drug spending and beneficiary out-of-pocket costs. The Model aims to reduce Medicare expenditures while preserving or enhancing quality of care for beneficiaries. The Model is open to eligible standalone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs) that are approved to participate.
Announced: Oncology Care Model
The Oncology Care Model aims to provide higher quality, more highly coordinated oncology care at the same or lower cost to Medicare. Under the Oncology Care Model (OCM), physician practices have entered into payment arrangements that include financial and performance accountability for episodes of care surrounding chemotherapy administration to cancer patients. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is also partnering with commercial payers in the model. The practices participating in OCM have committed to providing enhanced services to Medicare beneficiaries such as care coordination, navigation, and national treatment guidelines for care.
Announced: Comprehensive Primary Care Plus
Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) is a national advanced primary care medical home model that aims to strengthen primary care through regionally-based multi-payer payment reform and care delivery transformation. CPC+ includes two primary care practice tracks with incrementally advanced care delivery requirements and payment options to meet the diverse needs of primary care practices in the United States (U.S.).