WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With a pledge from Purdue Healthcare Advisors (PHA) and Qsource to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Indiana becomes the first state to commit to guide 90 percent of Indiana’s program-eligible clinicians to successful participation in the first year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The new federal program, which alters the way clinicians are reimbursed for their Medicare Part B encounters, involves a negative payment adjustment for clinicians who are eligible to report to the QPP’s Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS), but who fail to participate. During the 2017 “transition year,” CMS eases providers into the program with multiple reporting options known as “Pick Your Pace” that range from minimal to full participation.

PHA, an outreach program of the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering at Purdue University, and Qsource, which serves as the CMS- designated Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Indiana, are recipients of CMS grants that fund efforts to inform and guide clinicians to meet the QPP reporting requirements. Indiana-based clinicians access services through the Great Lakes Practice Transformation Network (GLPTN) and the QPP Resource Center, both managed by PHA in Indiana; and through Qsource. Both organizations offer guidance to clinicians on ways effectively participate in value-based payment systems.

“We wanted to be the first state to rise to this challenge because we are confident Indiana can reach the goal,” said PHA Senior Advisor Allison Bryan-Jungels, who serves as the GLPTN’s Indiana Program Manager Network and Network QI Lead. “As an organization dedicated to assisting underserved and rural providers, this latest CMS challenge inspires us to connect with clinicians across the state who may not have the knowledge of or resources to report to this new program.”

Don Gettinger, quality data reporting manager at Qsource, added, “This initiative aligns with Qsource’s tasks as the QIN-QIO in the state of Indiana, so it’s a great opportunity to join forces for the benefit of Indiana’s clinicians.”

To ensure that Indiana will meet the CMS challenge, PHA and Qsource recruited the support of several of Indiana’s key healthcare stakeholders. The leadership of the Indiana Medical Group Management Association (IMGMA), Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA), and Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) have agreed to assist PHA and Qsource by raising awareness about the QPP and providing opportunities for QPP-related education.

“IMGMA has a rich history of mutual support and common goals with our colleagues, including QSource and Purdue Healthcare Advisors. Their combined efforts will be of tremendous value to our members from both an educational and fiscal perspective,” said IMGMA Director of Operations Angie Stevenson. “We fully endorse their initiative to achieve a 90% in statewide eligible clinicians successfully reporting to the QPP, and look forward to co-delivering quality educational resources to our members to make this happen.”

Stevenson said IMGMA encourages all its members to participate in the first year to avoid the negative payment adjustment.

The IRHA pledged its support, as well. Executive Director Don Kelso said, “The IRHA is committed to supporting these efforts to ensure a 90 percentsuccess rate for Indiana’s eligible clinicians in 2017. IRHA has a long history of guiding Indiana’s rural clinicians through payment changes, and look forward to partnering with Purdue Healthcare Advisors and QSource in this important effort.”

Clinicians are encouraged to seek at opportunities for educational sessions and technical assistance through PHA, Qsource, IMGMA, IRHA, and ISMA. Indiana providers practicing in groups of 15 or less can join the QPP Resource Center. Clinicians in larger practices and hospitals can sign up at Providers.Exchange.

Media Contact: Jeanine Parsch, (765) 337-7047, jeanine@purdue.edu