The CMS has updated incentives for its physician quality-reporting initiative under the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule.
For the 2010 calendar year, providers who participate can earn 2% bonus payments, up from current bonus payments of 1.5%. In addition, the CMS is expanding reporting options and reporting periods. Participants will have an additional 30 measures as well as six more measures on groups that they can report next year. Group practices will be eligible for the 2% incentive payments beginning in 2010 as well, according to the final rule.
The CMS also is streamlining reporting requirements of its electronic prescribing measures for 2010. Beginning in 2012, providers who are not using e-prescribing “successfully” will be subject to financial penalties, according to the CMS.
