News & Updates from CMS

cms-PtV-200The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is reporting these events, updates and deadlines for providers. These items focus on the agency’s financial and payment responsibilities to providers. Read and sign up for the CMS weekly newsletter MLN Connects® Provider eNews for the most current news.

Medicare Quality Reporting Programs Webinar: What Eligible Providers Need to Know in 2016
The CMS Philadelphia Regional Office is hosting webinars on Medicare Quality Reporting Programs: What Eligible Providers Need to Know in 2016. Wednesday, February 17 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm ET.

Topics include:

  • Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) preview
  • 2016 incentive payments and 2018 payment adjustments
  • 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) updates
  • 2018 Value-based Payment Modifier (VM) policies
  • Physician Compare updates for 2016
  • Meaningful use of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) in 2016

Physician Compare Public Reporting Information Sessions
Interested in learning more about the future of public reporting on Physician Compare and how it will affect you? CMS will host public reporting information sessions about recent updates to the Physician Compare website and future plans for public reporting, including a publicly reported benchmark and star ratings (80 FR 71128-71129). Each one-hour webinar will offer stakeholders an opportunity to ask questions about public reporting and quality measures on Physician Compare. All sessions will present the same information. Register for a session:

  • Tuesday, February 23 at 12 pm ET
  • Wednesday, February 24 at 4 pm ET
  • Thursday, February 25 at 11 am ET

Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee
The Department of Health and Human Services welcomes the eleven members of the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee who were appointed by the U.S. Comptroller General. The Committee was added by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) to promote the development of physician-focused payment models in Medicare. A copy of the Charter establishing the Committee can be viewed by clicking here. The Committee will meet periodically to provide comments and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on physician-focused payment models. Members of the Committee are listed below. They are individuals who are nationally recognized for their expertise in physician-focused payment models and related delivery of care.

Telehealth Services Fact Sheet — Revised
Learn about originating sites; distant site practitioners; telehealth services; and billing and payment for professional services furnished via telehealth and the originating site facility fee in this revised Fact Sheet.

February is American Heart Month
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but it can often be prevented by identifying risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices. Help your Medicare patients reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke:

  • Recommend appropriate preventive services, including cardiovascular disease screening tests and intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease
  • Get tools and resources through HHS Million Hearts, a national initiative to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes by 2017