Most 2017 Track 1 ACOs are likely to score above the exceptional performance threshold under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, according to recent analysis.
The report, out of the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations and Vienna, Va.-based firm Dobson | DaVanzo, examined ACO performance under MACRA's Quality Payment Program of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. To analyze performance, the firm modeled the Alternative Payment Model scoring standard rules for MIPS ACOs and applied historical Track 1 ACO quality data to estimate performance for MIPS ACO scores in 2017. The firm also used the model to calculate corresponding payment adjustments under MIPS.
The report revealed while most 2017 Track 1 ACOs are expected to score above MIPS' exceptional performance threshold, all of them are likely to at least score well above the MIPS performance threshold. Those surpassing the exceptional performance threshold will receive a positive MIPS payment adjustment.
Despite these results, NAACO and Dobson | DaVanzo said most payment adjustments may only range from 0.4 to 2.6 percent of Medicare Part B payments. The report pointed to budget restraints and the ease with which MIPS clinicians may earn positive adjustments as contributors to the small rewards.