CMS Calling for New Measure Proposals Under MIPS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting healthcare industry stakeholders to propose new measures under the Advancing Care Information (ACI) Performance Category for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2019.

According to a notice from CMS, the submission deadline is June 30, 2017. Proposals submitted by the deadline will be considered for inclusion in rulemaking effective for 2019. CMS officials in April 2016 announced their initial plan to replace the meaningful use program for Medicare-participating physicians with a new program under the MIPS program, called Advancing Care Information.

According to the notice, CMS priorities for proposals on Advancing Care Information Performance Category measures include those that build on the advanced use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT) using 2015 Edition Standards and Certification Criteria to increase health information exchange and continue improving program efficiency, effectiveness, and flexibility. CMS is interesting in proposals that measure patient outcomes and emphasize patient safety and also support improvement activities and quality performance categories of MIPS.

CMS also is calling for measures that highlight “improved beneficiary health outcomes, patient engagement and safety.”