100+ Medical Organizations Urge Changes to Proposed Rule

A powerhouse group of medical organizations spoke with one voice recently in urging CMS to take another look at key portions of its proposed rule that, when finalized, will steer implementation of the massive Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

In a June 24 letter(8 page PDF) to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, the AAFP and more than 100 other organizations pushed renewed action on three main fronts, asking CMS to

• simplify the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) so physicians can improve performance but with fewer administrative and compliance burdens,
• provide a stronger pathway to alternative payment models (APMs) -- one that will support physicians eager to transition to new delivery and payment models -- and
• support physicians in solo, small and rural practices so they, too, have opportunities for success and can avoid unintended consequences.

The joint letter, in many instances, reinforced recommendations the AAFP made in its own 100-plus page letter fired off to Slavitt on June 24.