athenahealth Launches First MIPS Guarantee

athenahealth, Inc. ATHN revealed that it launched Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Guarantee with the objective to shield healthcare providers and practices from downward payment adjustments under the proposed Medicare reimbursement program. According to the company, the guarantee comes months before the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) release of the final MACRA rule. Also, it comes against the backdrop of mounting debate on the reimbursement change and complexity.

Athenahealth indicated its MIPS Guarantee continued a history of industry-leading guarantee programs provided for government-mandated quality reporting. This included 97.6 percent Meaningful Use (MU) attestation rate of the last year and 98.9 percent avoidance of Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and Value Modifier (VM) penalties in the current year.

The company's CEO, Jonathan Bush, said, "At a time when nearly all providers across the U.S. are expected to keep up with ever-changing reimbursement rules and an estimated 45 percent of those who bill Medicare Part B are facing payment cuts under the MIPS program, we're looking to lift the burden."

He added, "The complexity of government reimbursement is just too onerous; and, it's not something providers or practice staff should have to master. Because of our national network, our quality management and payer rules engine, our team of experts, and our track record of client success as part of other government-run programs, we believe we can free the industry of reimbursement cuts associated with MIPS. And if we can't, we'll put our money where our mouth is and reimburse clients up to the penalty amount."