On July 13, the Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing titled "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015: Ensuring Successful Implementation of Physician Payment Reforms." In his testimony, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt said that the agency is considering multiple ways to help address clinician unease regarding implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Concern for small and rural practices again took center stage during the hearing. Senator John Thune (R-SD) pressed Slavitt on "virtual groups" and the low-volume threshold MIPS exemption, two concerns raised by the College in recently submitted comments on the CMS proposed rule.

Additionally, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) mentioned the importance of interoperability as we move into these new payment models. ACC Advocacy continues to educate and engage with members of Congress to ensure they are aware of ACC's concerns as we continue to implement the new payment system.

Stay tuned to ACC.org/MACRA for the latest information and resources. 

Keywords: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

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