Due to development issues, the opening of the Montana Medicaid EHR Incentive Program State Level Registry (SLR) has been delayed. The time frame for submitting your 2017 attestations through the Montana SLR system will now open on 03/01/2018 and close on 05/31/2018.
The time frame for attesting to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program remains the same:
Medicare Program Attestation … Read the rest
In response to the overwhelming demand for an extension, the Quarter 4 (Q4) care delivery reporting and financial reporting due date has been extended for all practices. This means that all practices will have until January 26, 2018 to complete both Q4 care delivery reporting and financial reporting. Practices will not need to request an extension in the CPC+ Practice … Read the rest
You worked on your clinical quality measures, Advancing Care Information (ACI) and improvement activities throughout 2017. Now with the new year, the time to submit your data has finally arrived! The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) opened the CMS Enterprise Portal on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website on January 2.
You may submit … Read the rest
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released information on the reporting process for the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance year. Submission or attestation for the Quality, Advancing Care Information (ACI) and Improvement Activities (IA) will be done within a single application under the CMS Enterprise Portal. Even if your … Read the rest
The end of year is approaching and there are deadlines for closing out the CPC+ Program Year 1. Here are some important upcoming deadlines and events.
Below are the attestation deadlines for the 2017 reporting year for both the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs (Medicaid information for Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Hawaii)
Medicare EHR Incentive Program Attestation Timeframes:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently gave a preview of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) submission portal to the various contractors who are providing technical support for the Quality Payment Program. We were pleased to see the work that has been done to create a completely new approach to data submission for the 3 MIPS categories of Quality, Advancing Care Information (ACI) and … Read the rest
As 2017 comes to an end, it is time to look at the Meaningful Use requirements for 2018. On August 2, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that included changes to the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs for reporting year 2018. (Here is the CMS Fact Sheet that summarizes the final rule).
Following is a … Read the rest
We have recently posted some more great new Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) resources to our MT ABS Collaborative Resources page, and I wanted to make sure you were aware of them. The new resources include:
The HRET HIIN Antimicrobial Stewardship Change package… Read the rest
We hope you were able to join us for the great antimicrobial stewardship webinar on November 30. The webinar was presented by our antibiotic stewardship experts from Billings Clinic, St. Vincent’s Healthcare and St. Peter’s Hospital. With a focus on NHSN reporting of antibiotic usage/resistance our experts also shared examples of antibiotic interventions and explained how to calculate Days of Therapy (DOT) to help track and … Read the rest
For millions of people every year, the flu means battling a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and spending days in bed. But for those at high risk for flu complications—pregnant women, young children and adults over the age of 65 or who have diabetes, asthma or heart disease—the flu can mean staying sick longer, a hospital stay … Read the rest
This is a reminder that we have a Montana Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) Collaborative webinar on Thursday, November 30 at 2:00 PM MST. The webinar will include step-by-step instructions on how to collect data for antibiotic usage and examples of how to use this data to determine antibiotic interventions applicable to your organization.
Webinar information:
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 2017
TIME: 2:00 – 3:30 PM MST
TITLE: Antimicrobial Usage … Read the rest
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health is providing antibiotic stewardship (ABS) resources specific to outpatient health care settings. Mountain-Pacific has identified some great tools to help communicate the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing for both clinicians and patients.
Here are a few outpatient antibiotic patient education resources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months old and older get a flu vaccine every year. But fear and misconceptions about vaccinations stop people from getting the flu shot. Here is some information to help clear up some of those fears and misconceptions.
Question: Can the flu shot give you the flu?
Answer: You cannot get … Read the rest
Each year, November officially kicks off the holiday season. November is also American Diabetes Month. Coincidence? Probably not, since the holidays can create challenges for those living with diabetes. So how can you enjoy all the holiday festivities while still keeping your diabetes in check?
These six steps can help you manage your diabetes through Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s:… Read the rest
The Participation Agreement (PA) was sent to practices on October 10, 2017. The PA must be signed by an individual with the authority to legally bind your practice to another entity. The agreement must be signed and sent to CPC+ support no later than December 1st, 2017. If you have questions please contact Kristen Schuster.… Read the rest
We have recently added some great, new antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) resources to our MT ABS Collaborative Resources page, and I wanted to make sure you were aware of them. The new resources include:
CMS released the 2016 Annual Quality and Resource Utilization Reports (QRUR) and the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Feedback Reports in September. These reports provide a wide array of information and data but, first, you have to gain access to them.
The CMS Enterprise Identity Management system (EIDM) is a portal to allow secure, authenticated access to multiple … Read the rest
Register now for the new Montana Antibiotic Stewardship (ABS) Collaborative webinar which will include step-by-step instructions on how to collect data for antibiotic usage as well as provide examples of how to use this data to determine antibiotic interventions applicable to your organization.
Webinar information:
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 2017
TIME: 2:00 – 3:30 PM MST
TITLE: Antimicrobial Usage Data Collection and Interventions
Webinar … Read the rest
The 10/27 blog outlined the care management model of behavioral health integration. This blog is going to establish steps for establishing a primary care behaviorist model. Remember, Track 1 practices, you are not off the hook. Program Year 2 changes were outlined in the 10/20 blog and now Track 1 practices need to choose a BHI model and … Read the rest
Here are the details for eligible Hospitals attesting to either or both the Medicaid and Medicare EHR Incentive Programs for calendar year 2017.
2017 Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Summary
Beginning January 2, 2018, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) attesting to the Medicare EHR Incentive program will submit their 2017 Medicare meaningful use (MU) attestations through the QualityNet Secure Portal (QNet).
Enroll and Update Your QNet Account
Beginning in October:
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has funding available for all Montana hospitals to assist with the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Following are the details about this funding from the Montana DPHHS.
We are encouraging all acute care hospitals to apply for this funding in the 2017/2018 funding cycle. The funding is designed to support hospitals in the development of … Read the rest
Here are the details for eligible providers attesting to the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program for calendar year 2017. Medicare eligible providers will now be reporting meaningful use (MU) under the Advancing Care Information category in MIPS. For providers continuing to report meaningful use under the Medicaid EHR Incentive programs, here are the requirements for 2017:
2017 Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Summary
The first year of CPC+ is quickly coming to an end and it is a good time to take a pulse check! Track 2 practices are required to choose a behavioral health integration (BHI) option and need to start implementing this service in to its care. Remember Track 1 practices, you are not off the hook. Program Year 2 changes … Read the rest
Be honest with yourself. Are you over weight? Do you smoke? Do you have high blood pressure? Don’t exercise regularly? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you are at a higher risk of stroke.
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted or … Read the rest
CMS had several announcements and changes for 2018 during the week of October 16th.
The practice point of contact was sent an important email on October 16th. This email included:
1) The Amended and Restated CPC+ Participation Agreement (PA)
2) Amended and Restated PA Guidance
3) Program Year (PY) 2 Care Delivery Requirement Guidance
If the appropriate person did … Read the rest
CMS has released a new website allowing providers to look up their National Provider Identifiers (NPI) status to see if they qualify as an Advanced Alternate Payment Model (Advanced APM). Practices must meet a threshold score during the reporting year for Medicare Part B beneficiaries in order to qualify as an Advanced APM, otherwise … Read the rest
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not update the data from the October Star Ratings Preview Reports on Hospital Compare so it can continue examining potential changes to the Star Rating methodology. As part of this process, CMS is seeking feedback from a multi-disciplinary technical expert panel and a provider leadership workgroup.
CMS updates the Hospital Compare website … Read the rest
The 2017 NFL football season is in full swing. And so is the 2017 MIPS reporting season! October 2 marked the start date of the MIPS fourth-quarter reporting.
It’s not too late to participate in the first year of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)—one of the two tracks in the Quality Payment Program (QPP).
For 2017, you can participate in one … Read the rest
Fourth quarter is a busy time for the CPC+ program. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new eCQM benchmarks, attribution methodology and new measures for 2018. The changes were made based on feedback from providers. They are intended to help practices retain a greater portion of the incentive payment.
2017 eCQM and CAHPS
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) ruling provides options for submission methods in the four categories of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The methods are like those that were available for Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), such as registry, electronic health records (EHR), and Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR). Below is a chart showing … Read the rest
Selecting your reporting period is a very important factor in determining if you will receive a positive payment adjustment or avoid a negative adjustment in 2019. Key takeaways to do NOW are:
We know eligible clinicians are eager to get a handle on the Medicare Quality Payment Program, how to participate and how to be successful in it. Well, now you can learn more about it—while earning continuing education credits!
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants you to be successful with the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Merit-based Incentive … Read the rest
The last blog discussed Track 2 practices changing the Comprehensive Primary Care Payment (CPCP) ration in 2018. This hybrid payment is designed to be used to provide alternate visit types for patients across the practice. Why is it important to provide these services to patients and where does a practice begin? Let’s explore different options for success … Read the rest
Fall means back to school, warm days and crisp evenings. Fall also brings us flu season.
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health is pleased to provide FREE resources to support flu season educational needs. Click on this link http://www.mpqhf.org/QIO/quality-improvement-tools-resources/preventive-health-tools-resources/ to order posters, reminder postcards and immunization records for your patients. Check them out and get your orders in now!
We are interested in sharing best practices for facilities looking to increase their … Read the rest
Hello to all our Antimicrobial Stewardship (ASP) team mates!! We have recently posted some more great new ASP resources to our Montana ABS Collaborative Resources page. I wanted to make sure you were aware of them. The new resources include:
It is hard to believe we are already approaching Quarter 3 on the CPC+ timeline. With that comes a decision for Track 2 practices. As a Track 2 participant you selected a hybrid payment ratio. This payment methodology will allow the practice flexibility to deliver care in an appropriate setting and not be tied to the limitations of fee-for-service … Read the rest
From the advent of Meaningful Use was the vision of the Electronic Health Records (EHR) widespread ability to share health information and ultimately improve the quality of patient care. The Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) has requirements designed around the use of EHRs for reporting data for the three categories for the 2017 Transition year.… Read the rest
An important step in your Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) action plan is determining whether you will report as a group or only report eligible clinicians (ECs) as individuals. There are multiple factors to consider when making this decision – some are obvious, while others are more nuanced and may … Read the rest
