CMS Proposes Eliminating 5 MIPS Measures

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule calls for the elimination of five quality measures used to assess performance in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).

In the proposed rule, CMS proposes to remove measures which many IRIS^® (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry ophthalmic practices utilize for MIPS. They include:

• Measure 14: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Dilated Macular Examination
• Measure 19: Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication With the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care
• Measure 137: Melanoma: Continuity of Care — Recall System
• Measure 154: Falls: Risk Assessment
• Measure 317: Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for High Blood Pressure and Follow-Up Documented

If adopted as proposed, the CMS fee schedule would reduce the reporting options for many ophthalmologists. We’re planning to respond to the proposal with a strong objection to the measures’ elimination. You can respond as well by officially submitting your comments in one of two ways:

• Submit comments electronically, through regulations.gov.
• Written comments must be mailed to:
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  Department of Health and Human Services
  Attention: CMS-1751-P
  P.O. Box 8016
  Baltimore, MD 21244-8016
  
  Express or overnight mail to:
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  Department of Health and Human Services
  Attention: CMS-1751-P
  Mail Stop C4-26-05
  7500 Security Blvd.
  Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

Make sure to mail early so comments can be received before the comment period ends. Electronic comments are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 13, and mailed comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET, Sept. 13.