CMS Re-Opens MIPS Hardship Exemption Tied To COVID-19

The American Medical Association praised CMS’ Tuesday (March 1) decision to re-open the Merit-based Incentive Payment System extreme and uncontrollable circumstances hardship exemption tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the agency says that individual clinicians in the program will automatically receive that exemption. The Quality Payment Program set up by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act includes two tracks -- MIPS and advanced alternative pay models. MIPS is budget neutral, and the pay cuts from those who don’t do...