Academy contributes to episode-based cost measures

Along with our continued engagement with the American College of Surgeons-Brandeis Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) episode grouper model, on April 24, the Academy submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on CMS’ Request for Information (RFI) on episode-based cost measure development for the Quality Payment Program. CMS will incorporate episode-based cost measures into the development of the cost performance category for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for 2018 reporting. In 2016, the Academy was asked to participate in a clinical committee to provide input on several proposed clinical measures. Two of these measures, Laryngectomy and Tracheostomy were included in the first group of episode-based cost measures.

In comments, the Academy provided responses and insights to multiple questions asked by CMS to assist with the development of the episode-based cost measures, including the selection of episode groups, acute inpatient episode group development, and chronic condition episode groups. Members can access the Academy’s comments at http://www.entnet.org/content/mips.