KENTUCKY REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

Events

QPP 2025 Public Webinar: Final Rule – Watch Now

QPP Year 9: 2025 Final Rule Overview
Available Now: Friday January 31, 2025

Key QPP Updates from the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

With the release of the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule in late 2024, CMS finalized programmatic changes impacting your practice in 2025 and future performance years.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• MVP Continued Expansion:
addition of 6 new MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and consolidation of two existing neurological MVPs
• Cost: 6 new episode-based cost measures added to the Cost Performance category, further emphasizing value-based care
• Improvement Activities: Revamp of category weighting and requirements
• APP Track & MSSP: Required measure set expansion for MSSP participants via APP Plus
• Advanced APMs: QP status determination changes and finalized updates to QPP Lump Sum Bonus payouts

Register and view this on-demand analysis to stay in the know as we explore critical elements of MVPS, APP and Traditional MIPS tracks of the Quality Payment Program.

Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.

PFS Fact Sheet

MSSP Fact Sheet

QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

QPP 2025 Public Webinar: Final Rule – Release Date Jan 31

QPP Year 9: 2025 Final Rule Overview
Release Date: Friday January 31, 2025

Key QPP Updates from the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

With the release of the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule in late 2024, CMS finalized programmatic changes impacting your practice in 2025 and future performance years.

Sign up today to view the Kentucky Regional Extension Center’s QPP 2025: CMS PFS & Quality Payment Program Final Rule Overview on Friday, January 31st, 2025.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• MVP Continued Expansion:
addition of 6 new MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) and consolidation of two existing neurological MVPs
• Cost: 6 new episode-based cost measures added to the Cost Performance category, further emphasizing value-based care
• Improvement Activities: Revamp of category weighting and requirements
• APP Track & MSSP: Required measure set expansion for MSSP participants via APP Plus
• Advanced APMs: QP status determination changes and finalized updates to QPP Lump Sum Bonus payouts

Fill out this brief REGISTRATION FORM to be among the first to receive this webinar recording.

Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.

PFS Fact Sheet

MSSP Fact Sheet

QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

Kentucky REC QPP Webinar Dec 17: 2025 Final Rule

QPP Webinar: 2025 PFS & QPP FINAL RULE CLIENT-ONLY FIRST LOOK*
Tuesday DECEMBER 17, 2024 @ 12PM ET

On November 1st, 2024 the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) published the finalized regulatory update to the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), The Quality Payment Program (QPP), and Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Reporting Requirements impacting Medicare Parts A&B payment policies.

Kentucky REC expert advisors will share details on important aspects of the 2025 Final Rule, including discussing the items below.

This CMS ruling details important updates to all tracks of the QPP and Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program. MIPS Value Pathways or MVP expansion continues with the addition of 6 new MVPs available for reporting in performance year 2025, and the consolidation of two previously finalized MVPs into a single neurological MVP.

CMS further expanded the Cost Performance Category by adding 6 new episode-based cost measures for inclusion into the program. CMS finalized the performance threshold of the program through performance year 2025 to remain at 75 points, impacting the issuance of positive and/or negative payment adjustments to Medicare reimbursements in the 2027 payment year.

The MSSP finalized updates related to Shared Savings Pre-Payments, incentivizing and rewarding successful ACOs with upfront dollars based on historical shared savings performance to aid in offsetting costs associated with patient-care and population health infrastructure support.

CMS finalized the proposed APM Performance Pathway (APP) Plus measure set. This is a mandatory measure set for CMS MSSP ACOs, building on further strategic alignment across all CMS programs through the reporting of the Adult Universal Foundation Measure Set.

Interested in becoming a QPP client? 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.

Mark your calendars for “2025 PFS & QPP FINAL RULE CLIENT-ONLY FIRST LOOK*” on Tuesday, DECEMBER 17th at 12pm EST.

The CMS 2025 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule overview, QPP, and MSSP Fact Sheets are available through the links below.

PFS Fact Sheet

MSSP Fact Sheet

QPP Fact Sheet: https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3057/2025-QPP-Policies-Final-Rule-Fact-Sheet.pdf

 

Contact YOUR Experts at the Kentucky REC for all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We are here to help. Call us at 859-323-3090.

 

*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 KY***@uk*.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!

Watch Now! TEAM Model APM – for Acute Care Hospitals

TEAM Model APM – Transforming Episode Accountability Model for Acute Care Hospitals

Available Now: Friday Nov 15, 2024

On November 15th, your trusted REC experts released a webinar focusing on CMS’s recently announced new MANDATORY payment arrangement: Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM). This model is set to launch January 1st, 2026 for selected acute care hospitals in 188 core-based statistical areas (CBSAs).

Many Kentucky hospitals will be required to participate in this first phase, specifically hospitals located in:

Bowling Green
Corbin
Glasgow
Lexington-Fayette
Middlesboro

This model is a 5-year project beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

You will receive regulatory analysis of this new program and information on: episodes of care; timelines; financial up-side and down-side risk glidepaths; and other need-to-know elements set forth by CMS in this new model.

For further information:
CMS TEAM Model Hospital Registration (Primary Hospital Contact for FY26 Mandatory Participants).

For more information on the upcoming TEAM Model

To receive future CMS announcements, join the CMS Listserv.

REGISTER TODAY to be in-the-know on this very important topic impacting clinicians and Acute Care Hospitals across Kentucky and the nation.

For details and more information on TEAM from CMS, visit HERE.

Contact YOUR experts at Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

Kentucky REC Premier Partner Award – KHIE

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Premier Partner Award – KHIE

The Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE), under the leadership of Andrew Bledsoe, Deputy Executive Director of the Office of Inspector General and KHIE, has been a driving force in transforming healthcare connectivity across the state.

For over fourteen years, the partnership between KHIE and the Kentucky Regional Extension Center (KYREC) has been essential in fostering a truly connected healthcare environment in Kentucky.

Through their tireless efforts, KHIE has helped healthcare providers adopt EHRs, promote interoperability, and build a foundation for better patient care and more effective public health reporting.

This award recognizes KHIE’s longstanding commitment to advancing health initiatives and improving community well-being.
Thanks to Andrew’s leadership, KHIE has led the charge, ensuring seamless data sharing, improving care coordination, and driving innovations in health information technology. KHIE’s unwavering dedication to collaboration has not only elevated patient outcomes but also set the benchmark for interoperability and technological excellence in healthcare.

KHIE’s work over the years has redefined what’s possible when health organizations unite their strengths. By bridging technological gaps and creating innovative solutions, KHIE has become a model for success in interoperability, making a lasting impact on public health in Kentucky.

The Premier Partner Award is a testament to the visionary leadership and continued commitment to enhancing healthcare for all Kentuckians. Congratulations, KHIE! 

 

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Norton Healthcare

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Hospital Promoting Interoperability Award – Norton Healthcare

Norton Healthcare is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and beyond. The not-for-profit hospital and health care system has five Louisville-based hospitals, three hospitals in Southern Indiana and one under construction in West Louisville, scheduled to open next month.

Our primary contact at Norton for the Medicare PI Program is Kathleen Lyons. She is the Manager of Hospital Promoting Interoperability at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, and has been with Norton for almost 20 years. She received her Associate’s in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Kathleen has over 30 years of experience in healthcare, ranging from bedside nursing, practice administration and research to healthcare informatics. 

We began our partnership on the Medicare PI Program in 2014. We have monthly calls, provide education, and really drill-down on program details. Kathleen is usually the first client hospital to contact us when new legislation drops. She has an incredible work ethic and Norton Healthcare is lucky to have her. We help monitor their PI reports to track trends in their data. Kathleen shares weekly reports with us. Year after year, Norton exceeds requirements and successfully attests to the Medicare PI Program. 

Over the past 10 years, we have not only developed a great working relationship, but a friendship as well. We are so proud of Norton’s consistent PI performance.

Congratulations to Norton Healthcare on your award, it is very well deserved. We hope to work together for another 10 years!

 

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Kentucky Health Center Network

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health of our fellow Kentuckians. Presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

HIPAA Excellence Award

Kentucky Health Center Network (KHCN) supports 27 organizations comprising over 600 clinic sites, playing a pivotal role in advancing healthcare security across Kentucky. Under the leadership of CEO Jennifer NeSmith, KHCN has set the gold standard for HIPAA compliance and data security in community health centers.

The continued funding provides technical assistance and support to help safeguard electronic protected health information and keeping the supported organizations up to date and compliant with HIPAA regulations. This unwavering commitment to HIPAA security not only strengthens patient trust but also elevates the entire healthcare system in Kentucky.

Jennifer NeSmith’s leadership has been instrumental in the powerful partnership between the Kentucky Health Center Network and the Kentucky Regional Extension Center. Together, we have driven significant advancements in health IT adoption, security, and interoperability, ensuring that health centers can focus on delivering exceptional, patient-centered care.

Thanks to Jennifer’s vision and KHCN’s support, community health centers are better positioned to protect sensitive health information, while streamlining care for Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations. Her efforts have undeniably helped create a safer, more efficient healthcare system, making KHCN a worthy recipient of the HIPAA Excellence Award from Kentucky REC.

Congratulations to Kentucky Health Center Network for their HIPAA Excellence Award!

Kentucky REC Client Excellence Awards – Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab

Kentucky REC is proud to work with so many organizations committed to improving the health of our fellow Kentuckians. Awardees were chosen by the advisor team and presentations were made at our Annual Conference on Oct 24th in Lexington.

Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab is a small practice in Lexington that overcame many challenges and obstacles this past year. Their practice and EHR were greatly impacted by a cybersecurity event that caused challenges for practices across the nation. Through their dedication to their MIPS processes and quality workflows, they were able to keep momentum not just for the program, but for the wellbeing of their patients.

Their practice administrator was able to work closely with clinical staff and their coding and billing team to ensure that quality workflows were still being completed for patients and that documentation for MIPS reporting was maintained, no matter how many changes they needed to make. Their quick action and teamwork allowed them to maneuver effectively through these changes, reducing the impact to their patients and performance.

Congratulations to Commonwealth Sleep and Rehab for their Quality & Value Excellence Award!

Kentucky Hospitals! TEAM Model APM Webinar Release Date: Friday Nov 15

TEAM Model APM – Transforming Episode Accountability Model for Acute Care Hospitals

TEAM Model APM Pre-Recorded Webinar
Release Date: Friday, 11/15/2024

On November 15th, your trusted REC experts will release a pre-recorded webinar focusing on CMS’s recently announced new MANDATORY payment arrangement: Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM). This model is set to launch January 1st, 2026 for selected acute care hospitals in 188 core-based statistical areas (CBSAs).

Many Kentucky hospitals will be required to participate in this first phase, specifically hospitals located in:

Bowling Green
Corbin
Glasgow
Lexington-Fayette
Middlesboro

This model is a 5-year project beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

Our experts will provide regulatory analysis of this new program and will explore: episodes of care; timelines; financial up-side and down-side risk glidepaths; and other need-to-know elements set forth by CMS in this new model.

REGISTER TODAY to be in-the-know on this very important topic impacting clinicians and Acute Care Hospitals across Kentucky and the nation.

For details and more information on TEAM from CMS, visit HERE.

Contact YOUR experts at KY***@uk*.edu“>Kentucky REC with all your QPP, MIPS/MVP, and APM Track questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.

 

 

QPP Webinar Oct 15: Hidden Quality Measures

QPP Webinar: HIDDEN QUALITY MEASURES: UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS QUALITY PERFORMANCE*
Tuesday OCTOBER 15, 2024 @ 12PM ET

Did you know that your practice may be scored on more than the six required quality measures you submit to the Quality Payment Program (QPP)? While eligible clinicians and group practices are required to submit six clinical quality measures to receive a score for the quality performance category, there are an additional four administrative claims-based measures that may potentially impact your overall performance in the QPP.

Learn how these measures are triggered for inclusion and what you need to know to best prepare for evaluation. You will gain insight into the linkages between these “hidden” measures and their influence in the overall MIPS performance and future payment adjustments for your organization.

Interested in becoming a QPP client? 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.

Mark your calendars for “HIDDEN QUALITY MEASURES: UNDERSTANDING IMPACTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS QUALITY PERFORMANCE*” on Tuesday, October 15th at 12pm EST.

*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 KY***@uk*.edu. We aim to be your trusted healthcare advisor!

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