The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released the Proposed Rule guidelines for a third way to participate in the QPP MIPS track starting in 2018. If physicians are thinking of pursuing this participation option, they must apply before Dec. 1, 2017. If you have questions or need help, contact Courtnay Ryan at cryan@telligen.com.

As proposed in the 2018 Quality Payment Program proposed rule, solo practitioners and groups can choose to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) as a virtual group for the 2018 performance period. To form a virtual group for 2018, solo practitioners and groups need to engage in an election process. For the 2018 MIPS performance period, the election period for virtual groups to make an election is from Oct. 11, 2017 to Dec. 1, 2017.

What is a Virtual Group?
The federal CMS has proposed a virtual group to be a combination of two or more Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) made up of:

• A solo practitioner who's eligible to participate in MIPS and bills under a TIN with no other National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) billing under the TIN, OR
• A group with 10 or fewer eligible clinicians (at least one must be eligible for MIPS) that joins with at least one other solo practitioner or group for a performance period of a year.

How do I form a Virtual Group?
To form a virtual group, CMS has proposed a two-stage virtual group election process:

• Stage 1 (optional): Solo practitioners and groups with 10 or fewer eligible clinicians may contact their designated Technical Assistance representative or the Quality Payment Program Service Center to determine if they are eligible to join or form a virtual group.
• Stage 2: For groups that choose not to participate in Stage 1 of the election process, the federal CMS will determine if they are eligible in Stage 2. During Stage 2, the virtual group must name an official representative who will submit their election to the agency via email to MIPS_VirtualGroups@cms.hhs.gov by Dec. 1, 2017.

The election would include:

1. A written formal agreement between each of the virtual group members; and
2. Information about the TIN and NPI associated with the virtual group representative's contact information.

For more information about joining or forming virtual groups, see the Virtual Groups Toolkit.

Need help with the election process?
Contact the Quality Payment Program at QPP@cms.hhs.gov or 1-866-288-8292 (TTY: 1-877-715-6222). You can also contact your local support organization for support.

The Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society and Colorado Medical Society invite you to attend "The Opioid Crisis in Colorado & U.S.: Almost everything you know about the opioid epidemic isn't enough" with speaker Robert J. Valuck, PhD, RPh, FNAP. Join us for an open conversation with this leading expert on root causes and a long-term fix.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017
6 p.m. - Reception; 6:30 p.m. - Dinner / Program
Glenmoor Country Club
110 Glenmoor Dr., Cherry Hills

Why attend?
Physicians are in a direct spotlight when it comes to the opioid epidemic, which has been categorized as one of the greatest challenges facing health care today. While we are not the sole reason for the epidemic's alarming reach that crosses all demographics, physicians have a role in reducing opioid misuse and abuse in our patients.

Dr. Valuck's presentation during the CMS Annual Meeting received glowing feedback:

• "This was the most amazing, thorough and well-organized talk on the opioid epidemic I have ever
  heard. Dr. Rob is outstanding. We should package his talk into several smaller talks to take them
  on the road to our members."
• Awesome!! Very thorough.
• This presentation should be available for any CMS member. It really alerted me to the depth of
  problem and since then I have had multiple conversations with many colleagues.

Don't miss your opportunity to see this outstanding presentation. Register now!