Physician & Practice Timeline®

CMS has released 2019 MIPS performance feedback and final scores based on COVID-19 flexibilities. It was determined in June that the MIPS automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy would be applied to all individual MIPS eligible clinicians for the 2019 performance period. Your final score will show the payment adjustment you will receive in 2021. If you believe an error has been made in your MIPS payment adjustment factor(s) calculation, you can request a targeted review until October 5, 2020. To view your final MIPS score or request a targeted review please visit the QPP website by logging in using your HARP credentials. Targeted review decisions are final and not eligible for further review. For more information, please contact the Quality Payment Program at 1-866-288-8292 or email QPP@cms.hhs.gov.

Physicians can now submit patient information and claims for payment for uninsured patients treated for COVID-19. Physicians will need to verify and attest that the patient does not have individual, employer-sponsored, Medicare or Medicaid coverage and that no other payer will reimburse them for COVID-19 testing and/or treatment for the patient. Claims will be reimbursed for dates of service or admittance on or after February 4, 2020. You can submit your claim through the uninsured portal.

Every week, CMS hosts a variety of stakeholder calls to share information related to their COVID-19 response. Twice a month on Tuesdays, CMS hosts COVID-19 office hour calls from 5:00-6:00 PM ET for providers, hospitals, and health systems to ask questions regarding CMS’s actions. To join these weekly calls including other stakeholder calls, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Stakeholder Calls page.

CMS recently announced that effective March 28, 2020, it will offer accelerated and advance payments for Medicare participating health care clinicians and suppliers to lessen financial hardships for physician practices. Clinicians who meet the qualifying criteria may request up to 100% Medicare payments for a three-month period. The payments will be subject to recoupment within 180 days. Visit the press release and fact sheet for more information.