CMS Offers 2020 COVID-19-Related MIPS Relief

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), CMS is offering multiple flexibilities to clinicians eligible to participate in the 2020 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Individual clinicians, groups and alternative payment model (APM) entities may submit a hardship exemption application requesting to opt-out of any or all of their 2020 MIPS performance categories (i.e., Quality, Cost, Improvement Activities and/or Promoting Interoperability) due to the PHE. If an application to opt-out of all four categories is approved, the clinician, group or APM will be held harmless from the -9.0% 2022 MIPS payment adjustment. Note that the submission of MIPS data to CMS will override the hardship exception application and clinicians will be scored on their submission.

Hardship exemption applications may be submitted online now through Dec. 31. Click here for more details.