At the Forefront
of Healthcare Transformation!
May
30, 2017
ILHITREC is dedicating this Weekly
News Update to addressing some of the many questions we've been
receiving since the roll-out of MIPS. Please take a few minutes to
catch up on these questions and let us know if you have more at info@ILHITREC.org. Thank you from the ILHITREC
Team!
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Do we still need
to participate in the Medicaid Incentive Payment Program (eMIPP) if
we are required to participate in MIPS this year?
Yes!
Some of the many reasons to continue in the Medicaid incentive
program include:
- Funding!
Participating providers can still earn $8,500 per provider per
year through 2021 in achieving progressive levels of meaningful
use.
- Alignment! The EHR
program requirements currently align with other payers'
requirements and incentive programs.
- Data! Tracking your data can
help you realize areas you can improve on. Identify health
trends for patients individually and as a group. To be able to
measure patient outcomes and have this available to use as
feedback for the patients, providers and staff.
- Support!
ILHITREC can provide support for your participation in this
program at no cost.
- Preparation!
Continue to utilize benefits of the EHR you already have
implemented and are paying for because this will prepare you for
the transition to value-based payment models. Even if you are
not required to participate in MIPS in 2017, it's only a matter
of time before all providers will be included in these programs.
- Rising Expectations!
Patients now expect certain services associated with having an
EHR, such as access to their online health records, lab results
right away, electronic messaging, and electronic medical record
sharing with their other providers.
What is ILHITREC's Role in Supporting Illinois Providers
in Healthcare Transformation?
ILHITREC, part of Northern Illinois University's
Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, has been
serving providers throughout Illinois in EHR implementation,
Meaningful Use, incentive programs, and quality improvement since
2009. ILHITREC, in partner with the Illinois Department of Healthcare
and Family Services, supports Medicaid Meaningful Use and incentive
payment program participation. ILHITREC is also partner in the Great
Lakes Practice Transformation Network (GLPTN), supporting practices
in quality improvement, physician quality reporting, data-informed
decision-making processes, MACRA/MIPS, and transition to
value-based payment systems. All of ILHITREC's support
and services are provided at no cost to participating practices
through funding provided by these programs. Visit ILHITREC.org for complete details
on the wide variety of services provided by ILHITREC.
What Resources are Available if we
are Required to Participate in MIPS in 2017?
CMS established a Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource
Center in Illinois which provides no cost support to small practices
with less than 15 clinicians, rural, and under-served providers who
are required to participate in MIPS in 2017. Northwestern University
in Chicago was awarded the QPP grant for Illinois to serve small,
rural, and under-served providers throughout the state. Northwestern
has a sub award with Northern Illinois University's College of Health
and Human Sciences to assist in providing this statewide support.
While ILHITREC is not part of the QPP program in
Illinois, we will still be able to answer your general MIPS questions
and will assist in identifying tools, resources, and support you
need. For more information on MIPS and the QPP program, we encourage
you to visit www.qpp.cms.gov.
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