The MIPS Score is calculated based on Cost, Promoting Interoperability, Quality Reporting and Improvement Activities. For small offices, Improvement Activities could end up being weighted to 50% of your total score. This is because small offices (with 15 providers or less) are automatically exempt from Promoting Interoperability. And most podiatrists are exempt from Cost because no cost measures apply to the majority of podiatrists.
Improvement activities have a continuous 365-day performance period (during calendar year (CY) 2024) unless otherwise stated in the activity description. If you have not already, your office should get started on them as soon as possible.
There are two types of Improvement Activities. High Weight Activities and Medium Weight Activities. High Weight Activities are worth 20 Improvement Points. Medium Weight Activities are worth 10 Improvement Points. You need a total of 40 Improvement Points.
To meet this requirement you can have:
2 High Weight Activities
4 Medium Weight Activities
Or
1 High Weight and 2 Medium Weight Activities
In addition, you receive double points for each activity if
- • You practice in a rural area
- • You practice in a health professional shortage area
- • You are a Small Practice (15 or fewer clinicians billing under the practice’s TIN)
If you meet any of those criteria, this means High Weight Activities are worth 40 Improvement Points and Medium Weight Activities are worth 20 Improvement Points. For your office, you would only need:
1 High Weight Activity
Or
2 Medium Weight Activities
Some High Weight Activities that Podiatrists can use
CDC Training on CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
This training will enhance your knowledge related to prescribing narcotics. The training is free and can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/healthcare-professionals/training/index.html. This activity can only be selected once every 4 years. If you have used this activity in the last four years, you will not be able to select it. Only one doctor needs to complete the CDC training to claim it for the group.
Completion of CDC Training on Antibiotic Stewardship
This training will help you make decisions on selecting antibiotics to prescribe. The training can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/training/continuing-education.html. Like the previous measure, while the training is free, the activity can only be selected once every four years.Only one doctor needs to complete the CDC training to claim it for the group.
Provide 24/7 Access to Eligible Clinicians or Groups who have Real-Time Access to Patient’s Medical Record
Known as the 24/7 Access rule, to meet this activity, you must provide patients with 24/7 access to reach you. At the same time, you need to have 24/7 access to your EHR. Patients would be able to reach you after hours and you would be able to see what’s in the patient's chart so that you can provide the patient with services or the phone or through telehealth.
This activity can be selected every year.
Provide Education Opportunities for New Clinicians
If you are involved in training and provide preceptorships to clinicians-in-training (such as medical residents/fellows, medical students, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists) then you qualify for this measure. You must be located in a rural or healthcare professional shortage area. Check your zip code on the CDC website to see if it is defined as a rural or healthcare professional shortage area.
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