CMS determines those affected by Hurricane Ida are not required to submit 2021 MIPS data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week that providers in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida qualify for a neutral payment adjustment for MIPS 2021 and that no application is needed under their MIPS “extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy”.  Once FEMA declared this disaster area, CMS typically makes this type of hardship exception available.  The CMS declaration affects providers in the following states:  NY, NJ, LA, most of MS, and parts of PA.  This declaration is in addition to the waivers already in place due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

It is important to note that – as in the past with other natural disasters – although providers are already identified by their billing ZIP code and will normally not receive a MIPS adjustment (positive or negative) to their 2023 payments, if you are affected but choose to submit MIPS data anyway in two or more MIPS categories in 2021, you will be scored and receive the adjustment.

We are available and happy to assist you with issues related to eye care coding and reimbursement.  We are still available to present our webinars related to the significant changes for 2021 Evaluation and Management eye exam coding.  This new full program includes a large, completely revised text and new Office Visit Guide pocket guides, so contact us if you are interested.  Stay safe.

www.corcoranccg.com (800) 399-6565