July 2021

On July 13, Medicare released planned updates to its physician payment regulations. The proposed rule includes changes to value-based payment programs, including several proposed by Discern Health in partnership with its clients.

One update relates to COVID. Last year, Discern’s staff discussed ways the organization could use its expertise in Medicare payment to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Discern developed and submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) an Improvement Activity related to the management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in physician offices. Lack of PPE was a significant barrier to care early in the pandemic and is a risk for future pandemics. CMS has included Discern’s proposal in the payment rule, with only minimal changes.

Another area of Discern involvement was the development of “MIPS Value Pathways.” MVPs are packages of performance measures focused on a specific clinical topic. Working with its clients, Discern facilitated the development and submission of the following MVPs which Medicare has proposed for adoption:

• “Advancing Rheumatology Patient Care”
• “Coordinating Stroke Care to Promote Prevention and Cultivate Positive Outcomes”
• “Adopting Best Practices and Promoting Patient Safety within Emergency Medicine”

Discern works with its clients to understand, shape, and navigate Medicare’s value-based payment programs. Please contact Guy D’Andrea for more information.