CMS: Physician uptake of advanced payment models under MACRA outpacing goals

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a new report that offers a look at how physicians fared the first year of its Quality Payment Program.  QPP includes two possible tracks for doctors, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model. In 2017, more than 1 million doctors enrolled in MIPS, about 95% of those eligible, while more than 99,000 qualified for APM, which is a higher risk-bearing option, according to the report (PDF download).  The participation numbers outpace CMS’ projections and goals for the program’s first year, according to the report. The agency was aiming for 90% participation in MIPS and for about 70,000 physicians to enter more advanced models.