Merit-based Incentive Payment System
What is MIPS?
MIPS is the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, a Medicare program that requires eligible clinicians to submit data on quality measures, use of electronic health record (EHR) software, and other activities. In the past you may have submitted these data to programs known as PQRS or Meaningful Use. These programs have now combined to make up the MIPS program.
How does the bonus/penalty process work?
MIPS is a Medicare grade card with a possible 100 points. Your score will impact future Medicare payments. If you do not submit any data for 2020, you will receive a score of 0 and an automatic penalty of 9% on payments in 2022.
You need to earn at least 45 points to avoid penalty. Any score above 45 points can qualify you for bonuses in 2022.
Electronic Health Record Requirements
Do I need to use an EHR to participate?
You do not need electronic health record (EHR) or electronic medical record (EMR) software to participate. Small practices that do not have EHR or EMR software can apply for a hardship exception from reporting EHR data for the Promoting Interoperability (formerly “Meaningful Use”) category. Quality measures can also be reported without use of an EHR.