MACRA Implementation May Be Delayed

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt suggested that the agency is considering multiple ways to address physician concerns about their readiness for the new Medicare payment system scheduled to start January 1. (The new system is referred to as MACRA or the Quality Payment Program.) Those options include an alternative start date, shorter reporting periods and "finding other ways for physicians to get experience with the program before the impact of it really hits them," Slavitt said. Click here to read Slavitt’s testimony. To view the hearing, click here.

NOTE: Strategic Health Care clients will be receiving regular MACRA updates with the latest developments on CMS’ Quality Payment Program.

• CAPG, a group representing 250 physician organizations, wrote to HHS and urged the agency to move forward with the January 1 MACRA start date. Click here for their letter.

Almost Half Physicians Surveyed Have Never Heard of MACRA
A new survey from Deloitte found that nearly half of doctors polled said they have never heard of MACRA. The survey of 600 physicians also found that 80 percent said they prefer traditional fee-for-service or salary as compensation. Additionally, about 58 percent are willing to be part of a larger organization to diminish individual risk and to have access to more resources. Click here to view the survey results.