Physicians are hoping HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, who once had a small practice, will be sympathetic to small practices as the White House reviews updates for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act for 2018, according to a report from The Hill.
Physicians in small practices hope Dr. Price will ease MACRA reporting burdens, perhaps by extending this year's "pick-your-pace" options, which were put in place by former CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt to help ease the transition to the new system and offset the delay of the law's "virtual groups." These groups will allow small practice providers to band together for reporting purposes. "Virtual group" guidelines have not yet been published due to issues with details such as EHR integration, according to the report.
Small practice physicians also hope Dr. Price and CMS will offer more options for the law's alternative payment model track, which offers greater risks and rewards, according to the report. Since only 11 care models have been approved for the APM track, only a minority of physicians are currently able to participate, according to the report.
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