| CMS is offering the option of obtaining a COVID Exception from reporting for MIPS for 2021, according to the following stated criteria from CMS: |
| Can I Apply for an Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception? |
| Yes. If you believe you have been affected by an extreme and uncontrollable circumstance (such as the public health emergency triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic), you can apply for this exception whether reporting traditional MIPS or the APM Performance Pathway (APP). |
| Extreme and uncontrollable circumstances are defined as rare events entirely outside of your control and the control of the facility in which you practice. These circumstances would: |
| – Cause you to be unable to collect information necessary to submit for a MIPS performance category; |
| – Cause you to be unable to submit information that would be used to score a MIPS performance category for an extended period of time (for example. if you were unable to collect data for the quality performance category for 3 months), and/or, |
| – Impact your normal processes, affecting your performance on cost measures and other administrative claims measures. |
| In order to apply for this Exception, go to: |
| https://qpp.cms.gov/mips/exception-applications |
| – Go to the Section “Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application Window is Now Open” and hit Apply |
| – Select ALL 4 program categories (Quality, Promoting Interoperability, Improvement Activities and Cost). |
| If approved, you should receive an instantaneous email confirming Approval. |
If you get approved, it’s one less headache for your practice in 2021!
This article was contributed by Bruno Stillo, Physiatry Billing Specialists, 800-835-4482, www.physiatrymedicalbilling.com
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