From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologists’ actions in 2014 directly impact 2016 Reimbursement
Time is winding down to the Oct. 31 deadline for Academy members to sign up with the Academy’s IRIS™ Registry to use the Web-based portal option to report 2014 Physician Quality Reporting System measures. Physicians who do not report for PQRS in 2014 face a 2 percent 2016 penalty. Practices of 10 or more eligible professionals (MDs and ODs) face an additional penalty in 2016 for failure to participate in PQRS in 2014. Successfully reporting using the IRIS Registry will help Academy members avoid penalties. The IRIS Registry web-based portal reporting mechanism does not require an electronic health record system. Sign up with the Academy’s IRIS Registry before Oct. 31.

All physicians face:

• A 2 percent Physician Quality Reporting System 2016 penalty for not successfully reporting in 2014; and
• A 2 percent 2016 reduction for failing to adopt electronic health records in 2014 under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs.

Large practices (10 or more MDs and ODs) also face:

• A 2 percent 2016 value-based modifier penalty for 2014 failure to participate in PQRS.

All three possible penalties are on top of the ongoing 2 percent sequestration reduction that went in effect in 2013.

Understand Additional Penalties Tied to 2015 Performance
There are additional penalties tied to 2015 performance. For example, beginning in 2015, all ophthalmologists and other fee-for-service providers face future rewards or penalties based not only on quality of care, but cost of care — and the hardest hit could be specialties. This payment adjustment is called the value-based modifier. The Academy provides an overview of the penalties.

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