ACA releases new resources to assist chiropractors with proper implementation of PQRS reporting

January 28, 2015 —The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has debuted new resources to assist doctors of chiropractic with proper implementation of Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). These materials will enable DCs to better understand payment adjustments and the new fee schedule format.

“It is very important that all DCs who treat Medicare beneficiaries, both participating and nonparticipating, are aware of how the negative payment adjustments affect them when billing claims to Medicare,” said ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC, FACO. “ACA’s 2015 PQRS resources, designed specifically with the chiropractic practice in mind, provide additional clarity on payment adjustments and the new fee schedule format.”

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandated that non-participation or unsuccessful or unsatisfactory reporting in PQRS would result in negative payment adjustments to Medicare reimbursement beginning in 2015.

DCs can avoid the two percent payment deduction to their 2017 Medicare reimbursement by successfully and satisfactorily reporting PQRS measures for Pain Assessment and Follow-Up (Measure #131) and Functional Outcome Assessment (Measure  #182) during the 2015 reporting period (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2015).

The most up-to-date information on how to begin implementing quality reporting for Medicare is now available on ACA’s website.  ACA encourages DCs to review the new FAQ that explain how the payment adjustments must be applied and how to navigate the new format of the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.  Questions on payment adjustments and the new fee schedule format can be directed to medicare@acatoday.org.

Source: American Chiropractic Association