On June 20, 2017, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the display version of the CY 2018 Quality Payment program proposed rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2017.  The Quality Payment Program, which is updated annually as part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), incentivizes physicians to increase the quality through participation in either Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) or the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

CMS Administrator Seema Verma stated “We’ve heard the concerns that too many quality programs, technology requirements, and measures get between the doctor and the patient.  That’s why we’re taking a hard look at reducing burdens. By proposing this rule, we aim to improve Medicare by helping doctors and clinicians concentrate on caring for their patients rather than filling out paperwork. CMS will continue to listen and take actionable steps towards alleviating burdens and improving health outcomes for all Americans that we serve.”  Comments on the proposed rule are due August 21, 2017.