Staff Development as a MIPS Strategy: Ensuring Proper Documentation and Improved Scores

With the healthcare regulatory environment being what it is, it can sometimes become lost that at its foundation, MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) is about improving the quality of care. You can't improve the quality of care without the continued development of the people who deliver that care. As a payment program under Medicare, MIPS rewards healthcare providers for enhancing the quality of care, leading to improved health outcomes, and reducing costs. Amid these complexities, focusing on continuous staff development emerges as a potent strategy for healthcare practices aiming to optimize their MIPS scores. Let's delve into the pivotal role of staff development in ensuring accurate documentation of MIPS activities, leading to an overall improved MIPS Score and subsequently enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Understanding MIPS

Before delving into the importance of staff development for optimizing MIPS scores, it is crucial to understand the MIPS framework. MIPS combines parts of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the Value-based Payment Modifier (VBM), and the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program into one single program. Under MIPS, healthcare providers are evaluated based on four performance categories: Quality, Cost, Improvement Activities, and Promoting Interoperability.

The Connection Between Staff Development and MIPS

Effective staff training ensures that all employees, including administrative and clinical staff, have comprehensive knowledge about the MIPS program's various components. Continuous education and training can help staff accurately document all MIPS-related activities, ensuring that no vital information is left out that could potentially impact the MIPS score.

Competent, well-informed staff can contribute significantly to enhanced performance in all four MIPS categories. Through continuous learning and development, staff can keep abreast of the latest updates, understand the nuanced requirements of each category, and adopt best practices for data collection, reporting, and performance improvement, leading to higher MIPS scores.

Continuous training minimizes the likelihood of errors in documentation and reporting, which can otherwise lead to lower MIPS scores. Staff development programs that focus on MIPS compliance, documentation standards, and reporting protocols help in reducing errors, ensuring that the reported data accurately reflects the practice's performance.

Staff development and training also contribute to improved patient outcomes, a key factor in MIPS scoring. A well-trained team can implement and adhere to best clinical practices, leading to enhanced patient care, which is directly correlated with higher performance in the Quality and Cost categories of MIPS.

Regular training sessions should be conducted to keep the staff updated with the latest MIPS guidelines, documentation standards, and performance improvement strategies. Training can be provided in various formats, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and hands-on sessions. All of these methods should be encouraged on a regular basis.

Many resources are available that offer guidance on MIPS reporting and performance improvement. CMS offers a full resource library that should be regularly used to keep staff educated. Encouraging self-study, along with dedicated training in-house, ensures your staff buys into your MIPS strategy. Practices should utilize these resources, such as the Quality Payment Program website, to educate their staff and provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in MIPS performance.

Performance improvement should be a continuous process. Regular audits and assessments can help in identifying the areas that need improvement and tailoring the training programs accordingly.

Continuous staff development and training are critical for ensuring accurate documentation and reporting of MIPS activities, leading to improved MIPS scores and increased reimbursements. Investing in staff development not only enhances the performance in MIPS but also contributes to the overall improvement in patient care and outcomes, solidifying the practice’s reputation and positioning it for long-term success in the increasingly competitive healthcare landscape.

If you need help with your MIPS strategy, the Chirpy Bird team stands ready to help. Send us a message on LinkedIn, or reach out to us at ChirpyBirdinc.com.