The American Gastroenterological Association shared some guidelines for how to prepare for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act.
Here are ten steps:
1. Visit the AGA Roadmap to the Future of GI Practice for information to help improve the care you provide patients and demonstrate your value to payers.
2. Use the AGA Federal Quality Improvement Programs Timeline to help you prepare and successfully implement the required changes for federal quality improvement programs.
3. Assess where your practice is currently at with Physician Quality Reporting System-reporting, meaningful use and value-based modifiers.
4. Review your practice's Quality and Resource Use Reports for the 2014 calendar year and the first part of 2015.
5. Participate in 2016 PQRS program by registering for the Digestive Health Recognition Program, HCV or IBD qualified registries for the 2016 AGA Qualified Clinical Data Registry.
6. Be aware that a new program, the Clinical Practice Improvement Activities, will count toward your Merit-Based Incentive programs score in addition to PQRS, value-based modifier and meaningful use.
7. Get your staff to brainstorm ways to improve patient communication and discuss whether outside resources may need to be added to help patients stay healthy and happy.
8. Strengthen your relationships with your payers.
9. Know your practice's financial numbers.
10. Be vigilant.