CMS postpones MIPS deadline in light of COVID-19
The CMS extended the 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System data submission deadline to April 30, 2020, to help facilitate the health care system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doctors of optometry participating in MIPS will get a 30-day reprieve from some Quality Payment Program (QPP) deadlines and requirements. ODs can attest through the American Optometric Association Measures and Outcomes Registry for Eyecare (MORE) or by using the QPP website, according to information provided by the AOA.
Specifically, practices that wish to report through AOA MORE must complete the attestation steps by 5 p.m. EST to meet the CMS April 30, 8 p.m., deadline.
The AOA MORE resources include a web portal, contact through a hotline or department email and a step-by-step instructional webinar.
MIPS-eligible clinicians who have not submitted any data by the deadline will qualify for the automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy and will not be penalized for the 2021 MIPS payment year.
“This latest decision to extend MIPS deadlines and requirements comes after the AOA sought an extension from CMS on March 16,” the AOA reported. “The CMS notes it continues to evaluate options for providing relief around participation and data submission for 2020.”
Finally, doctors who have already submitted MIPS data or submit before the new deadline will be scored and receive a payment adjustment based on those data.