Burgess, Upton efforts lead to CMS increasing flexibility on MACRA

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Thursday that it would heed requests from U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) for MACRA flexibility.

Upton and Burgess were at the forefront of calls for CMS to bring flexibility to the implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) so that the new law would bring about reforms that improve care for beneficiaries.

“(Thursday’s) announcement from CMS regarding the agency’s dedication to flexibility in the implementation of MACRA is proof of the benefits of keeping Congress involved in policy implementation,” Burgess, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, said. “Just as this policy was carefully crafted with the input of everyone affected by the payment policies, the implementation process should be conducted in the same way. I am committed to leading the charge for continued Congressional oversight of MACRA implementation to ensure simplified, streamlined requirements that allow for all doctors to succeed.”

CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt said that decisions about the implementation of MACRA were made in response to feedback about the Quality Payment Program received since April.

“In recognition of the wide diversity of physician practices, we intend for the Quality Payment Program to allow physicians to pick their pace of participation for the first performance period that begins Jan. 1, 2017,” Slavitt said. “During 2017, eligible physicians and other clinicians will have multiple options for participation. Choosing one of these options would ensure you do not receive a negative payment adjustment in 2019. These options and other supporting details will be described fully in the final rule.”

Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, lauded the announcement in a joint statement with other committee leaders.

“We’re pleased to see the administration is including our recommendations in its implementation of MACRA,” the committee leaders said. “By providing flexibility for doctors and other health care providers, we are helping ensure this historic law delivers the quality, value-based care Medicare beneficiaries deserve. We’re committed to continuing our work with each other, stakeholders, and the administration so that doctors can prioritize patient care instead of focusing on burdensome paperwork.”