84% of Medical Practices Report They Are Not Certain What MACRA Will Require of Their Practice

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kareo, the leading provider of clinical and business management software for independent medical practices, announced today that a recent survey showed that 84% of independent physicians and staff aren't sure what MACRA's Quality Payment Program (QPP) will require of their practice. Despite this uncertainty, most of these same physicians expect to participate in it to the best of their ability. With payment adjustments potentially reaching plus or minus nine percent by 2022, this is good news. It means that most practices intend to do what is necessary to avoid an adjustment and/or try to get an incentive.

The survey was conducted by Kareo after the final rule was released in October, and over 170 medical practices responded. The overall results show that most practices expect to participate, but they still aren't sure what the requirements are or how the program will impact revenue.

The proposed rule was announced in the spring of 2016, followed by a comment period. Industry groups, providers, and vendors responded with feedback, some of which was incorporated into the rule. The final rule came out on October 14, and it stated that the reporting period would begin on January 1, 2017 for those who want to fully participate and try to get a positive payment adjustment. That left just over two months for eligible clinicians and vendors to get ready.

"At Kareo, we felt that it was important to understand how prepared our customers really were to begin participating in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), which is the QPP path most of them will follow," said Dan Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Kareo. "Our survey highlighted that independent practices want to comply but they are struggling with the complexity and aggressive timing of the rule."

When asked if they understood what MACRA requires of their practice, 41% said they were not sure and 43% said they disagreed or strongly disagreed. Only four percent said they strongly agreed that they knew what MACRA required of them.

Similar results were seen when asked about the impact on revenue. Sixty-three percent weren't sure if MACRA would reduce reimbursement. When asked about whether MACRA would increase reporting burdens, most were sure it would. Over 60% said the reporting requirements would increase for their practice.

"The survey results highlight a trend we have seen at Kareo in recent years," said Rodrigues. "Independent practitioners want to stay independent so they want to participate in programs like MACRA and avoid possible penalties. But they need help to do it. The addition of the Pick Your Pace options in the final rule is a step in the right direction."

About Kareo
Kareo is the only cloud-based complete medical technology platform purpose-built to meet the unique needs of independent practices. Today Kareo helps over 35,000 providers in all 50 states run more efficient and profitable practices, while delivering outstanding patient care. The Kareo technology platform is the first to help independent practices find more patients, manage their care with a fully certified and easy-to-use EHR, and get paid quickly all in one complete and integrated package. Kareo has received extensive industry recognition, including the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Inc. 5000 and Black Book's #1 Integrated EHR, Practice Management and Medical Billing vendor. Kareo's growth further demonstrates the expansion and vitality of the independent practice market in the U.S. With offices across the country, Kareo's mission is to help independent practices succeed in an ever-changing healthcare market. More information can be found at www.kareo.com.

Contact:
Lindsay Thompson
Strategies
[email protected]
714-656-0141
Cell: 949-280-5854

SOURCE Kareo

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