CMS announces 2015 value modifier adjustments for certain physician practices

Fourteen group practices are receiving a 4.89% increase in their Medicare payments in 2015 based on their 2013 performance on quality and cost measures under the Physician Feedback/Value-Based Payment Modifier Program, and 11 are receiving a 0.5% or 1% decrease, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced last week. The value modifier is being phased in under the Affordable Care Act, with payment adjustments beginning in 2015 for certain groups of 100 or more eligible professionals. Most of these groups did not receive an adjustment this year because they participate in the Physician Quality Reporting System or had at least one physician who participated in the Shared Savings Program, Pioneer ACO Model or Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative in 2013.