Bipartisan committee leaders work toward successful implementation of MACRA

U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Pat Tiberi (R-OH) recently stressed the importance of flexibility in implementing the bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), H.R. 2.

Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Brady, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Tiberi, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, laid out their argument in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

“The Congressional intent for MACRA was twofold: to consolidate, streamline and ease the burden of the various quality reporting programs for physicians and practitioners and to incentivize quality, value-based care through aligned payment bonuses and reductions for physicians and practitioners,” the lawmakers wrote. “With these principles, we urge the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that all physicians and practitioners have an equal opportunity to succeed under the Quality Payment Program.”

The committee leaders asked Burwell to consider simplified requirements, clearer pathways to succeed under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), opportunities to move the Alternative Payment Model (AMP) track, and that appropriate systems be in place before a January 2017 reporting deadline.

“We understand that the timeframe is short, but we are committed to the successful and timely implementation of the law while still providing practitioners time and opportunities to succeed,” the committee leaders concluded. “We look forward to continue working with CMS to ensure a smooth transition throughout MACRA implementation.”