MIPS

Eligibility & Exemptions

Are you a MIPS Eligible Clinician?

Compared to the current CMS quality initiatives, the pool of eligible clinicians (formerly called eligible providers) will be shrinking significantly for the 2019 performance year. Considering that by 2021, when the pool of eligible clinicians will expand, the MIPS payment adjustment will be up to 9%.

Performance Year

Adjustment Year

MIPS Eligible Clinicians

2017

2019

Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

2021

2023

Physicians (including doctors of medicine, osteopathy, dental surgery, dental medicine, podiatric medicine, and optometry), Chiropractors, Osteopathic practitioners, Physician assistants, Nurse practitioners, Clinical nurse specialists, Certified registered nurse anesthetists, Physical therapists, Occupational therapists, Clinical psychologists, Qualified speech-language pathologists, Qualified audiologists, Registered dietitians or nutrition professionals

Possible Exemptions for MIPS Eligible Clinicians

1. Participation in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM)

If an eligible clinician is a part of an Advanced APM, they are exempt from MIPS reporting. Current examples of APMs are Accountable Care Organizations (ACO), Patient Centered Medical Homes, and bundled payment models.

2. MACRA Quality Payment Program Low-Volume Threshold (Must meet one of the criteria mentioned below)

Have = $90K in Part B allowed charges for covered professional services.

Provide care to = 200 Part B enrolled beneficiaries.

Provide = 200 covered professional services under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS).

3. Newly Enrolled in Medicare

If a clinician enrolls in Medicare in the middle of a performance year, they do not have to participate in MIPS reporting that year. For example, if a clinician was to enroll in Medicare on February 6, 2021, they will be exempt for the 2021 performance year (January 1, 2021- December 31, 2021).