Nov 6, 2026
2027 PFS & QPP Final Rule Analysis*
Webinar Date: December 18, 2026 @12pm
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, which includes policies for:
• Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)
• Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM)
• Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP)
• Advanced Alternative Payment Models (AAPMs)
One of the most significant changes is the sunset date of traditional MIPS. Beginning in CY2030, MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) or the APM Performance Pathways (APP) will become the primary MIPS participation tracks for eligible clinicians and groups.
Other finalized QPP changes include:
• Removal of High Priority Measure Designation
• New MIPS Core Measure reporting
• Three new MVPs: Diabetic Disease, Hospitalist, and Hypertension
• Modifications to all 27 existing MVPs
• Updates to the APP Plus Quality Measure Set
What do these changes mean for your practice? Kentucky REC clients are invited to our 2027 PFS & QPP Final Rule Analysis on Friday, Dec 18 at 12 noon EST.*
Not currently a Kentucky REC QPP client? Contact our team at 859-323-3090 or EMAIL to learn how advisors can support your practice in QPP and other value-based care programs.
Additional Resources:
Visit the Federal Register to read the complete 2027 PFS/QPP Final Rule
Download the Transition Timeline from MIPS to MVPs (PDF)
Review the QPP Fact Sheet
*This webinar is for Kentucky REC contracted QPP clients only. If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more about becoming a client, contact us at (859) 323-3090 or email us at KYRec@uky.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!
Sep 21, 2026
Hybrid Event with Special Guest Speakers – In Person and Online
Oct. 29 2026, Lexington Kentucky, The Campbell House
Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Update: What’s NextÂ
Speaker: Trudi Matthews, Chief of Value-based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, UK HealthCare; Executive Director, UK Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC); Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences
Stay informed on the latest healthcare policy developments and emerging regulatory initiatives shaping the future of care delivery. This session will provide an overview of key federal and state policy trends, value-based care priorities, reimbursement changes, and regulatory developments that healthcare organizations should prepare for in the near future.
About Trudi Matthews
Trudi Matthews serves as Chief of Value Based Programs, Public Policy and Community Initiatives in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UK HealthCare, the health system of the University of Kentucky (UK). In this role, Trudi works with UK HealthCare’s executive team and ambulatory leadership to ensure success in value-based programs for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers. Trudi also serves as government affairs and policy lead for UK HealthCare overseeing a team responsible for reviewing and analyzing state and federal government policy initiatives.
Trudi is also Executive Director of the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (REC) at UK. Trudi oversees this state-wide center charged with assisting health care leaders, practices, and hospitals across Kentucky with using technology, connectivity, process improvement and value-based care models to improve the quality and value of health care. From 2015-2019, she was Managing Director of the Kentucky REC, leading and supporting multiple externally sponsored projects such as Kentucky’s Practice Transformation Network Grant, Medicaid Meaningful Use/Promoting Interoperability Support, and several CDC-funded projects with the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Questions? Contact us at Kentucky REC or call us at 859-323-3090.
Jul 21, 2026
Don’t Miss Our Aug 27 Webinar:
2027 CMS NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE-MAKING: QPP and BEYOND
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued the notice for proposed rule-making for the 2027 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP) on Tuesday, August 14th, 2026.
CMS is proposing transformational changes to several programs within this rule, including:
- the sunset date for the MIPS track of the QPP
- a further increase in available MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs)
- significant APM incentive payment reforms
- expansion of the Medicare Shared Savings Program
- further clarification of the new Ambulatory Specialty Model
- the introduction of core measures and other substantial changes to QPP performance categories
Stay in the know with the Kentucky REC – Register today and be prepared for 2027 and beyond!
2027 CMS NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE-MAKING: QPP and BEYOND
THURSDAY AUG 27 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
CMS encourages providers, healthcare organizations, vendors, and professional organizations to submit comments on the proposed rule.
How to comment:
The proposed rule includes directions for submitting comments within the 60-day comment period. CMS must receive comments by Monday, September 14, 2026.
When commenting, refer to file code: CMS-1848-P.
CMS does NOT accept FAX transmissions.
Use 1 of the 3 following ways to officially submit your comments:
• Electronically: www.regulations.gov
• Regular mail: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-1848-P, P.O. Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8016.
• Express or overnight mail: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-1848-P, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your CMS QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
Jul 3, 2026
Don’t Miss Our July 30 Webinar: Understanding CMS’s Mandatory Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM)
Does your practice treat 20 or more Medicare patients with heart failure or low back pain each year? If so, CMS’s new Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) may directly impact your organization.
Unlike many value-based care initiatives, the ASM is a mandatory payment model for selected specialists billing under Medicare Part B who treat these conditions. Beginning in 2027, the model is designed to increase specialist accountability for chronic disease management, reduce low-value care, and strengthen coordination between specialists and primary care providers.
CMS has released the preliminary list of participating providers, with an update coming later this year. You can check your status by clicking this link.
With financial risk increasing through 2033, now is the time to understand the model and begin preparing your practice.
Join us for our webinar on Thursday, July 30, where we will provide a practical overview of:
• Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) selection methodology
• Participant eligibility requirements
• Cohort-specific quality measures
• Financial implications and risk timelines
• Recommended steps to prepare your organization
Whether you are a practice administrator, physician leader, or quality improvement professional, this session will equip you with the insights and action steps needed to prepare for one of the most significant mandatory specialty payment models introduced by CMS.
Register today and get ahead of the changes!
UNDERSTANDING CMS’S MANDATORY AMBULATORY SPECIALTY MODEL
THURSDAY JULY 30 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your CMS QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
May 7, 2026
May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
Over 27.8 million adults and 4.8 million children in the U.S. are living with asthma.
The Kentucky REC, in partnership with KDPH’s Kentucky Asthma Management Program (KAMP) are raising awareness about the importance of asthma control, helping patients, caregiver, and healthcare professionals build knowledge and skills needed for effective daily management.
Many learning opportunities are available this month to support individuals and families in living well with asthma.
The American Lung Association (ALA) and the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) are providing FREE RESOURCES to help your healthcare organization increase awareness and access to resources within your communities.
AAFA: CLICK HERE for Pediatric Asthma Social Media Toolkit
ALA: CLICK HERE for Asthma Awareness Month | American Lung Association Resources
KAMP: CLICK HERE for Asthma Management Program – Cabinet for Health and Family Services Resources
Patient and Clinical Education Opportunities:
May 5: Webinar: 2026 Clean Air School Symposium, 11am – 2:30pm ESTÂ REGISTER HERE
May 8: Webinar: Building Clinical Linkages with Asthma Care Partners, 12 – 1pm EST REGISTER HERE
May 15: Webinar: Asthma Medication in Schools: Back to the Basics,12 – 1pm EST REGISTER HERE
May 22: Webinar: Treating Persistent Asthma: Putting your Patient on the Right Therapy Using the Stepwise Charts, 12 – 1pm EST REGISTER HERE
May 29: Webinar: Asthma Action Plans, 12- 1pm EST REGISTER HERE
Nov 10, 2025
QPP 2026 PFS & QPP Final Rule*
Webinar Date: December 16, 2025 @12pm
CMS released the highly anticipated 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule on Nov 3rd — and the changes are significant.
From new Quality Payment Program (QPP) requirements to critical updates impacting MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs), eligible clinicians will see meaningful shifts in reporting, participation, and performance expectations.
One of the most notable updates is the introduction of the new Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM)—inclusion of specialists in outpatient and ambulatory care settings. ASM is designed to expand value-based care opportunities, improve quality measurement alignment for specialists, and offer new pathways to succeed in advanced payment arrangements.
OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS WILL WALK YOU THROUGH:
• Key QPP updates every organization must understand
• What’s changing within MVPs and APM participation
• How the Ambulatory Specialty Model will affect specialists and reporting options
• Action steps to prepare for 2026
Interested in learning more about QPP, attend upcoming webinars, or learn how our advisors can assist your practice in maximizing performance in the QPP or other value-based care programs? As a client, you receive exclusive access to our analysis of all aspects of the Quality Payment Program. To speak with the team on how we can best support you, feel free to contact us HERE.
*This webinar is for Kentucky REC contracted QPP clients only. If you are interested in this topic and would like to learn more about becoming a client, please contact us at (859) 323-3090 or email us at KYRec@uky.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!
