Important MIPS deadlines approaching

Here are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind as you wrap up the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2020 performance year.

Feb. 1

This is when the 2020 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application period closes for applications related to COVID-19. Clinicians, groups, and virtual groups who apply and are approved will qualify for a re-weighting of one or more MIPS performance categories. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will notify applicants via email whether their requests are approved. If they are the exception will be added to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Participation Status Tool.

CMS has now finalized that Alternative Payment Model Entities may also submit Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances applications related to COVID-19 for the 2020 performance year. For more information, see the QPP COVID-19 Response webpage.

8 p.m. (EDT) March 31  

This is the deadline to submit your 2020 MIPS performance data. To submit data, you will need to register in the HCQIS Authorization Roles and Profile (HARP) system. If you need help registering, refer to the QPP Access User Guide. If you are not sure whether you’re eligible to participate in QPP, you can check your status using the QPP Participation Status Tool. Clinicians and groups that are eligible to opt in will need to make an election before they can submit data.

Clinicians in small practices (including rural locations), health professional shortage areas, and medically underserved areas may request no-cost technical support from organizations that can be found on the Small, Underserved, and Rural Practices page of the QPP website.

If you are submitting data for the “Quality” category via claims, be aware that CMS must receive those claims by March 1. Deadline dates vary to submit claims to the Medicare administrative contractors (MACs). Check with your MAC for more specific instructions.

To learn more, you can visit the QPP website and access the following resources:

• 2020 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application resources (zip)
• 2020 Data Submission Videos
• 2020 Data Submission FAQs

You can also contact the QPP at 1-866-288-8292 or by e-mail at: QPP@cms.hhs.gov. To receive assistance more quickly, consider calling during non-peak hours (before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. EDT). Hearing-impaired individuals can dial 711 to be connected to a TRS Communications Assistant.

— Kent Moore, Senior Strategist for Physician Payment, American Academy of Family Physicians