The Cost of Compliance Continues to Climb—Plan Accordingly

The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), the EHR incentive program, and other Medicare programs are driving the cost of complying with federal regulations through the roof, according to a new survey from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). The group says nearly half of practices in the U.S. spend more than $40,000 per full-time physician to keep up—while 14% say that figure is $100,000 or more per physician. The MGMA says the wide range is attributed to the level of investment various practices are making in their participation. From the individual provider’s perspective, it may not necessarily be money well spent: over 80% of respondents said they find complying with MIPS “very burdensome” or “extremely burdensome.” Around 68% are “dissatisfied” with a perceived lack of EHR interoperability. For urgent care operators, the message may be that dissent could be brewing in the ranks; talk to clinicians at your center to get their perspective—or to share yours about why you’ve opted to make whatever your level of investment may be. Such discussion could also help uncover opportunities to ensure the systems you have in place are really helping them provide the best care possible, at the best cost-efficiency possible.