Deadline to File for MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception extended to February 1, 2021.

IMPORTANT: Individuals, groups and virtual groups can’t submit an application to override PY2020 data that has already been submitted.  Any data submitted for an individual, group or virtual group before or after an application has been approved will be scored. 

If you have an approved application, you can still receive scores for the quality, improvement activities and Promoting Interoperability performance categories if you submit data. If the cost performance category is included in your approved application, you won’t be scored on cost measures even if you submit other data. Any data submitted for an individual, group or virtual group before or after an application has been approved will be scored.

If you have any concerns about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on your performance data, including cost measures, for the 2020 performance period, submit an application now and be sure to cite COVID-19 as the reason for your application. COVID-19 related applications can be submitted until February 1, 2021 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time

Frequently Asked Questions

I have already reported quality measures through Medicare Part B claims for the 2020 performance period. Can I complete an extreme and uncontrollable circumstances exception application?

Yes. If you, or any of the clinicians in your small practice (fewer than 16 clinicians), are eligible to participate in MIPS and are already reporting your quality measures through Medicare Part B claims, you can submit an extreme and uncontrollable circumstances exception application for the 2020 performance period. If you’re approved for reweighting in all 4 performance categories and don’t submit any other data, your final score would be equal to the performance threshold which would result in a neutral payment adjustment (unless you have another, higher score).

If I have an approved extreme and uncontrollable circumstances exception application for 2020 performance period, can I still submit data?

Yes. Data submitted by individuals, groups and virtual groups, or submitted on their behalf, will override the performance category reweighting approved through your application on a category-by-category basis and you’ll receive a 2020 performance period MIPS final score based on the data you submit.

• Groups and virtual groups won’t be scored on the All-Cause Hospital Readmission measure if the extreme and uncontrollable circumstances request is approved for the quality performance category unless quality data is submitted.
• If you’re approved for reweighting of the cost performance category to 0%, you’ll never be scored on cost measures because there are no data submission requirements associated with the cost performance category.
• For example:
  • You, a MIPS eligible clinician (or group or virtual group), submit an application to have all 4 performance categories reweighted, but later determine you’re able to collect and submit data for the improvement activities and Promoting Interoperability performance categories: 
    • You’ll receive a MIPS final score based on the data submitted; the improvement activities performance category will be weighted to 15% and Promoting Interoperability performance category will be weighted to 85% of your final score.
      • The quality performance category will retain a 0% weight because you didn’t submit quality data.
      • The cost performance category will retain a 0% weight because there are no data submission requirements associated with the cost performance category (reweighting can’t be voided).
  • Important: Even though CMS is extending the deadline to submit a COVID-19 related extreme and uncontrollable circumstances application into the 2020 submission period, individuals, groups and virtual groups can’t submit an application to override 2020 performance period data they’ve submitted or someone submitted on their behalf. Any data submitted as an individual, group, or virtual group (before or after an application has been approved) will be scored.  Data submitted for an APM won’t override performance category reweighting from an approved application.