The deadline to submit 2017 data for Medicare’s Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is quickly approaching. As you prepare to submit your 2017 MIPS data, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages you to review its 2017 Advancing Care Information resources.

The Advancing Care Information performance category promotes patient engagement and electronic exchange of information using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.  This performance category replaces the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for eligible professionals, also known as meaningful use.

Calendar year 2018 is the last year you can receive a downward payment adjustment under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for EPs. Your 2017 participation in MIPS will determine if you earn a positive, negative, or neutral adjustment to your Medicare Part B payments in 2019.

Below is a list of all of the CMS Advancing Care Information resources in one place:

• Information Blocking Fact Sheet: Provides an overview of the process by which MIPS eligible clinicians must show that they have not knowingly and willfully limited or restricted the compatibility or interoperability of their certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.
• EHR Vendor Fact Sheet: Outlines the steps EHR vendors can take to submit MIPS data on behalf of eligible clinicians for the Quality, Advancing Care Information, and Improvement activities performance categories.  
• Advancing Care Information Performance Category Fact Sheet: Details the Advancing Care Information performance category measures, reporting requirements, and scoring.
• 2017 Advancing Care Information Measure and Transition Measure Specifications: Includes additional details on each objective and measure in the Advancing Care Information performance category.
• MIPS Advancing Care Information Deep Dive Webinar: Includes a discussion about the Advancing Care Information performance category requirements in 2017, including a Q&A session with CMS subject matter experts.

Remember, March 31, 2018 is the deadline for 2017 MIPS data submission. For step-by-step instructions on how to submit MIPS data, check out this video and fact sheet.