The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) permanently eliminates the sustainable growth rate formula and provides annual payment adjustments through 2019. Although this law may ultimately stabilize Medicare physician reimbursement, oncologists are currently working to prepare for this long-term transition.
At the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Robin T. Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, Vice President and Partner, Michiana Hematology Oncology, PC, Mishawaka, IN, and Chair of ASCO’s Task Force for Clinical Pathways discussed the implications of MACRA for oncologists and provided tips for oncology practices.
“Moving forward, it’s important to think about how to reward physicians and providers while considering the professional services agreements with hospitals and commercial payer contracts,” Dr Zon said.
To prepare for the 2019 MACRA Composite Score, she recommends the following activities.
MACRA represents “an opportunity for us as providers,” Dr Zon said. “We need to advocate for our patients to make sure that at the end of the day, not only are they receiving high-quality and valued care as a healthcare system would define it, but valuable care as they would see it.”
Finally, if available, physicians should make use of a patient portal and e-prescribing capabilities while meeting medication reconciliation requirements, she concluded.
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