Aug 5, 2019
CMS Released their proposed rule for the 2020 Quality Payment Program on July 30. It outlines many changes for Year 4 (Program Year 2020) of the QPP. These include:
- increased performance thresholds
- changes to the Quality and Cost Performance Categories
- introducing a new framework – MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs)
The new framework is planned to become effective in Program Year 2021. It’s goals include aligning and connecting measures across the four performance categories, allowing more flexibility for specialty providers, and reducing data collection and reporting burdens.
During our webinar, we will examine the CMS Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for Year 4 of the Quality Payment Program. We will discuss the major proposed changes, how they differ from Year 3 (Program Year 2019) requirements, and how these changes could impact clinician practices. The comment period for the CY 2020 Proposed Rule ends September 27, 2019, with the final rule expected Fall 2019.
Webinar – QPP NPRM: Year 4 Proposed Rule
Thursday Aug 29, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about the Quality Payment Program. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
Jul 25, 2019
Practice Goals: Quality Focused! Patients Number One Priority!
How do we get there? PCMH & PCSP Programs!
Join us for an in-depth conversation with leaders from NCQA recognized Kentucky practices to gain insider perspective on the PCMH and PCSP transformation journey. They will bring valuable information on the financial benefits, staff and patient satisfaction, and workflow improvements that recognition has brought to their organization!
Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP) are excellent practice transformation models for organizations. The program can take you from goals to reality in your commitment to improving access, communication, and care coordination. NCQA recognized practices succeed in cutting costs, while increasing both quality outcomes and patient satisfaction. Now is the perfect time to pursue recognition since your organization can also receive full points in the Improvement Activities category of MIPS in the Quality Payment Program.
To learn from your peers about these exciting PCMH/PCSP program benefits, join us for a FREE webinar September 10.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of something special as we work to transform healthcare in Kentucky!
Webinar: PCMH/PCSP TRANSFORMATION & BENEFITS
Tuesday September 10, 12-1 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about PCMH and PCSP. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
Jul 15, 2019
In the Fiscal Year 2019 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS) Final Rule, CMS made changes to the Promoting Interoperability Program for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
The final rule adopted policies to:
- continue the advancement of CEHRT utilization
- reduce burden
- increase interoperability
- patient access to their health information
Hospitals must continue to successfully attest to the program to avoid a negative Medicare payment adjustment. During the webinar, we will review the Stage 3 requirements for 2019 and take a look at the new performance-based scoring methodology.
Register now and let us help you succeed in meeting your Promoting Interoperability goals.
Webinar – Medicare Promoting Interoperability for Hospitals
Tuesday August 6, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about Promoting Interoperability for hospitals. Our experts are here to help: 859-323-3090
Jul 13, 2019
Is your organization making consistent improvements in quality, health outcomes, costs, and workflows? Do you have a standardized system in place to enhance these areas? By having set improvement methods in your organization, you can lay the groundwork for success. You will engage staff, increase efficiencies, and improve the health of patients.
Join us August 13 to learn different Quality Improvement methods and how to drive improvement in order to achieve maximum potential. Our team will discuss how implementing these processes can be simple and easy, while making a huge impact in your organization.
Webinar – QPP Year 3: Quality Improvement Methods: Finding What Works
Tuesday Aug 13, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about the Quality Payment Program. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090.
Jul 12, 2019
WHAT IS IT?
The Kentucky Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (KDPCP) at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) recently received a multi-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve diabetes clinical outcomes. Through the grant, the state of Kentucky has chosen to focus on the implementation of a robust Diabetes Clinical Quality Improvement Learning Collaborative (DLC).
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
We’re hosting two Information Sessions – July 18th and August 22nd at noon. Register below or call 859-323-3090 for more information.
Thursday July 18 12 Noon ET
Thursday August 22nd 12 Noon ET
The Basics:
- 12 month Learning Collaborative
- Health care organizations learn from each other and experts in the field
- Participants will undertake small tests of change to reach self-identified objectives within their own organizations
Focus: Health care organizations will make “breakthrough” increases in the adoption and use of clinical systems and care practices to improve health outcomes in people with diabetes
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Health Care Systems/Clinical Practices can improve clinical outcomes for your patients and practice. This learning collaborative can contribute to and augment your other quality improvement programs and initiatives to improve healthcare, reduce cost, and move to value based care.
HOW CAN I JOIN?
1. Requirements: practice established for at least one year; minimum two full time employees; have at least 100 adult patients with diabetes diagnosis
2. Complete an application and submit by August 30th 12 p.m.
3. One year commitment
4. If selected, participants will be notified within 30 days of the application deadline
SUPPORT PARTNERS
The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) serves as the lead agency for facilitation of the CDC grant.
The KY Regional Extension Center (KY REC) serves as the lead agency for the pilot and will facilitate meetings and serve as expert consultant in electronic health record workflow.
The Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE) serves as an important partner to set up LHDs and YMCA with CareAlign DSM accounts/mailboxes to support bi-directional exchange of secure patient health information with select practices.
Questions? Contact us at 859-323-3090 or Kentucky REC.
More details can be found here.
Application can be accessed here.
Jul 12, 2019
CMS released the 2018 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Performance Feedback and 2020 Payment Adjustment!
Individual clinicians and groups participating in MIPS for 2018 should be able to review their feedback and associated payment adjustment by logging into the QPP Portal at qpp.cms.gov.
Heads up! If you have not logged in to the system in a while, you may be required to reset your HARP password (HCQIS Access and Roles Profile). If you participated in a MIPS Alternative Payment Model (MIPS-APM), you should also be able to see a score based on your APMs performance for the 2018 program year. Only APM Entities that are determined to be “Advanced APMs” will NOT receive MIPS performance feedback. If you have any questions on your APM’s performance or your access to see a score, we recommend contacting your APM entity.
The Performance feedback includes:
- measure-level performance data and scores
- activity-level scores
- category-level scores
- your final score
- associated payment adjustment information
- additional details
For those who submitted under multiple groups, you should receive feedback reports for each group submission. Additionally, those clinicians who voluntarily reported will also receive feedback on their perfrmance, minus any payment adjustment information.
This year CMS released expanded cost and resource use figures for those with applicable data, giving clinicians and practices more tools and resources than before. This data can help you to make steps towards improvement in your practice.
During our webinar we will walk you through these 2018 feedback reports and how you can use the various tables and supplemental information to improve your performance in 2019 and beyond. Make sure to tune in for tips and tricks on getting the most out of your reports!
Webinar – QPP Year 3: 2018 Feedback Reports
Tuesday July 30, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Contact us at Kentucky REC with your questions about the Quality Payment Program. Our team of experts is here to help: 859-323-3090
