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athenahealth and MIPS: Considerations for Your Practice 

by , | Mar 27, 2024

athenahealth’s suite of services is designed to simplify healthcare delivery, and when it comes to MIPS, they have developed robust tools that enable practices to efficiently track quality metrics. Their comprehensive EHR, RCM, and patient engagement software and services are tailorable, offering an all-in-one solution for practice management.  

This connected system can be particularly beneficial for Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), as it promotes interoperability, a key component of the MIPS scoring process. In this article, we will discuss how athenahealth’s MIPS tools enable practices to improve reimbursements – and patient outcomes – while reducing administrative work. This not only simplifies the reporting process but also helps practices identify areas for improvement. 

Understanding MIPS and Its Importance 

Understanding and effectively implementing MIPS can lead to enhanced patient outcomes, better care processes, and potentially higher payments from Medicare. Its focus on quality, cost-efficiency, and transparency aligns with the goals of many healthcare providers and can lead to improved patient care. However, it is also important to note that MIPS is a complex system that requires careful navigation. 

athenahealth MIPS Reporting Features 

Navigating the intricacies of MIPS reporting can be a daunting task for healthcare practices. To alleviate this burden, athenahealth has incorporated specialized MIPS reporting features into its athenahealth product suite. These tools are designed to ensure efficient and integrated compliance with MIPS requirements, dovetailing seamlessly with a practice’s daily operations. 

Specialized athenahealth MIPS Reporting Tools 

athenahealth’s commitment to simplifying the complexities of MIPS reporting is evident in their specialized reporting tools. These tools are designed to streamline data collection, offer real-time performance tracking, and provide comprehensive visibility into a practice’s MIPS performance. 

  • Automatic data collection: athenahealth’s system automatically collects data from various sources, including EHRs, practice management systems, and patient portals. This not only ensures accuracy but also frees up valuable time for healthcare providers to focus on delivering quality care instead of on administrative tasks. 
  • Real-time tracking and monitoring: The ability to track and monitor a practice’s performance across MIPS measures in real-time is a standout feature of athenahealth’s reporting tools. This real-time data provides an accurate picture of a practice’s current so that immediate adjustments and improvements can be made to enhance MIPS scores. 
  • Customizable dashboards and reporting capabilities: athenahealth’s customizable dashboards can be tailored to prioritize information, simplifying performance monitoring for providers. In addition, robust reporting capabilities provide in-depth analysis of performance data, highlighting areas of improvement and opportunities for growth. 

With automatic data collection, real-time tracking, and customizable dashboards, these tools help practices optimize their MIPS performance and focus on delivering high-quality, cost-effective care. 

Integration into Daily Workflow 

One of the key advantages of athenahealth’s MIPS reporting solution is its seamless integration into a practice’s daily workflow, including:  

  • Minimize disruptions: By integrating MIPS reporting into routine clinical practices, athenahealth minimizes disruptions to healthcare providers’ work. 
  • Automatic data capturing and calculations: athenahealth’s system automatically captures and calculates data from routine clinical encounters, eliminating the need for manual data entry. 
  • Make MIPS reporting a continuous process: The seamless integration of athenahealth’s MIPS reporting solution into a practice’s daily workflow ensures that MIPS reporting becomes a continuous and natural process. 

By minimizing disruptions, automating data capture, and making MIPS reporting a natural part of the daily routine, athenahealth simplifies the process of meeting MIPS quality standards. 

Benefits of Using athenahealth for MIPS Reporting 

athenahealth’s MIPS reporting solution offers many benefits, including the streamlining of MIPS reporting and compliance. Here are the specifics of these key benefits: 

  • User-friendly interface and automated tools: Automated tools streamline data management, reducing the administrative burden on healthcare providers. 
  • Time and cost efficiency: By automating and streamlining MIPS reporting tasks, athenahealth’s solution saves valuable time and resources. 
  • Higher MIPS scores and performance outcomes: With specialized reporting tools and comprehensive support, athenahealth equips practices to achieve higher MIPS scores. 
  • Track record of success: According to a 2022 report, athenahealth customers outperformed the healthcare industry in the 2020 MIPS Quality Payment Program. 

athenahealth’s MIPS reporting solution offers numerous benefits, from time and cost efficiency to improved MIPS scores and performance outcomes. With a proven record of accomplishment of success, athenahealth is a key resource to better manage MIPS reporting and compliance. 

Advantages Over Traditional Methods 

athenahealth’s MIPS reporting system offers numerous advantages over traditional methods. At its core is the automation of data collection and real-time performance tracking, which not only enhances accuracy but also allows for immediate adjustments and improvements. 

Traditional methods of data collection often involve manual data entry, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. In contrast, athenahealth’s automated system reduces these risks by eliminating the need for human data entry and calculations. This results in a more streamlined and efficient process, freeing up valuable time for healthcare providers to focus on improving patient care outcomes. 

Additionally, the real-time performance tracking offered by athenahealth allows for the continuous monitoring of quality metrics. With this functionality, athenahealth’s system helps identify issues early on to help organizations stay on track for MIPS performance targets. 

Summary: athenahealth MIPS Reporting 

The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program that rewards the top performers while penalizing underperformers. athenahealth has been recognized for aiding organizations in successfully navigating this complex quality program through its robust systems. athenahealth’s interoperability tools allow for efficient tracking of key quality metrics, assisting in optimizing MIPS performance.  

The payment adjustments inherent to the MIPS program are determined by these performance thresholds, making the technology provided by athenahealth invaluable. Therefore, considering athenahealth in the context of MIPS reporting can be beneficial for practices aiming to excel in the current environment. 

Take Full Advantage of athenahealth MIPS Features  

For providers and staff already busy with running a practice and caring for patients, taking the time to grasp the ramifications of this complex and mammoth piece of healthcare legislation can be overwhelming.  Our expert MIPS consultants understand industry best practices are here to develop a sustainable strategy that earns bonus payments rather than incur penalties. Contact us to learn how athenahealth helps organizations succeed with quality programs. 

Authors

  • Medical Advantage
  • Angie Howard

    Angie is an experienced healthcare advisor with over 20 years of work history. Angie has earned a reputation as an industry leader in EHR implementations, system optimization, system selection, workflow redesign, practice assessments, and revenue review. She holds many EHR certif...

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