Turbo PT is ready for MIPS Quality Reporting

Providers who wish to submit quality measures for CMS’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) can already enter these measures in Turbo PT. As a rehab therapist you are an “eligible professional” under MIPS. While therapists are not expected to submit MIPS data, you are able to voluntarily participate now and Turbo PT already gives you the ability to do so.

MIPS for Physical Therapy 2019

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed, as part of the 2019 physician fee schedule, to require many PTs in private practice to participate in the QPP program through either MIPS or advanced APMs beginning January 2019. Additionally, CMS has proposed to allow certain other PTs and physical therapy practices to opt into the program, enabling them to earn incentive payments and to prepare for participation in APMs.

Due to the fact that this is a proposed measure there are no guidelines for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

Currently they are still not eligible to officially participate in the quality reporting initiative.

PQRS is Dead

As of January 1, 2017, CMS discontinues the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).  MIPS is the replacement for PQRS and there are substantial similarities between the programs in that they will continue to require the reporting of quality measures. Currently, the Quality Measures category of MIPS will account for 50% of a MIPS Final score.

Why is MIPS Replacing PQRS and What Else Does it Do?

Quality

Resource use

Clinical practice improvement activities

Advancing care information

  • MIPS streamlines 3 currently independent program including PQRS, Value-Based Payment Modifier (VM), and Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) incentive Program to work as one with the goal of easing the burden on the clinician.
  • Adds a fourth component to promote improvement and clinical innovation.
  • Provides greater flexibility to choose activities and measures that demonstrate performance in a way that is more meaningful for an individual practice.

MIPS Performance Categories and Composite Score

A single MIPS composite performance score (CPS) will take into account 4 weighted categories on a 0-100 point scale. Notably, for the quality measures that account for 50% of the CPS, therapist will be able to choose the measures on which they’ll be evaluated.

  • Quality
  • Clinical Practice Improvement Activities
  • Advancing Care Information
  • Cost

How MIPS Adjusts Payments to Your Practice

Based on the above MIPS Composite Performance Score, therapist will receive +/- or neutral adjustments to their payments for Medicare Part B.

The potential maximum adjustment % will increase each year from 2019 to 2022.

Current Available Quality Measures in Turbo PT

Due to the anticipated emphasis on quality measures in the MIPS Composite Performance Score, Turbo PT already allows you to report on the following quality measures:

  • Measure 126: Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic Foot and Ankle Care
  • Measure 127: Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic Foot and Ankle Care, Ulcer Prevention
  • Measure 128: Preventive Care and Screening: Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening and Follow-Up Plan
  • Measure 130: Documentation of Current Medications in the Medical Record – National Quality Strategy Domain: Patient Safety
  • Measure 131: Pain Assessment and Follow-Up
  • Measure 154: Falls: Risk Assessment- Patient
  • Measure 155: Falls: Plan of Care
  • Measure 182: Functional Outcome Assessment

In addition, if you are using the PTOutcome registry (APTA MIPS REGISTRY), Turbo PT has integration options available.

How the Turbo PT Patient Portal Can Help you Track Clinical Practice Improvement Activity

The MIPS Clinical Practice Improvement Activity Performance Category requires a minimum selection of one activity from a list of 90+ proposed activities.  Examples include coordination of care, shared decision-making, safety checklist, and expanding practice access.

Turbo PT provides our clients that ability to sign-up patients to the Turbo PT patient portal. This allows our client to conduct patient follow-up and track improvement activities to evaluate how patients are progressing after therapy has been completed.

If you are a current Turbo PT customer, please contact support at 800-628-5844 to sign up for portal access.