Advocacy in Action - New Jersey Rule and Quality Payment Program Reporting

Carter J. Alleman, J.D.

New Jersey’s New Pharma Rule

New Jersey released a final rulemaking on compensation between prescribers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Starting January 15, 2018, all contracts and payments entered into by physicians directly with the pharmaceutical industry will be subject to a $10,000 total yearly cap for New Jersey physicians with all pharmaceutical companies. This includes payments from industry for consulting and speaking but exempts research and education related payments. In addition, physicians will be subject to a $15-dollar meal cap, for meals related to all activities. The rule is available here.

CMS Creates Data Submission System for Quality Payment Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new data submission system for providers who participate in the Quality Payment Program (QPP). The QPP is composed of two tracks, but in the early years, most providers will participate via the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Providers can now submit all of their 2017 MIPS data through this submission system.

Providers can submit and update data any time until March 31, with the exception of CMS web interface users, who are required to report quality data January 22 to March 16. As data are entered, providers will see real-time initial scoring within the MIPS performance categories. Data are automatically saved and clinician records are updated in real time. Hence, a clinician can begin a submission, leave without completing it, and then finish it at a later time without losing the previously entered information. Payment adjustments will be calculated based on the last submission or submission update that occurs before the submission period closes March 31.

Providers use their Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) credentials to log in and submit data. The CMS website features a user guide with instructions to create an EIDM account.

For more information about the QPP data submission system, review the CMS fact sheet or view any of the following training videos:
• Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Data Submission
• Advancing Care Information (ACI) Data Submission for Alternative Payment Models (APMs)
• Data Submission via a Qualified Clinical Data Registry and Qualified Registry

For more information, contact CMS at [email protected]