U.S. Supreme Court hears ACA challenge

On Nov. 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA). MGMA prepared a summary of the case for members on our ACA landing page, which we will continue to update as developments occur. A decision is not expected until 2021.

The case, captioned California v. Texas, centers on the ACA’s individual mandate to maintain minimum health coverage and its tax penalty. Following legislation that set the tax penalty to zero dollars starting in 2019, plaintiffs challenged the validity of the ACA and argued that, if the individual mandate is unconstitutional, the rest of the law is as well. Statements made by several justices during oral arguments implied the Court is unlikely to overturn the entire law, but the actual outcome of the case remains unknown until an opinion is issued.

Last chance: Tell your lawmakers to pass COVID-19 relief legislation this year  

Following the 2020 election, Congress is returning to Washington, D.C. for one final “lame duck” session of the 116th Congress. There are limited legislative working days left in the year, making it imperative that physician practices reach out to their lawmakers to urge them to pass COVID-19 relief legislation.

Send a letter to your senators and representatives urging them to include the following in any final legislation:

• direct financial support to medical groups,
• continue telehealth flexibilities past the COVID-19 public health emergency,
• address Medicare payment cuts to certain specialties; and

reopen and amend aspects of the Paycheck Protection Program.

Don’t miss these important MIPS deadlines 

With the end of the year approaching, MIPS-participating clinicians and groups need to be aware of these upcoming MIPS deadlines.

• Dec. 31 – 2020 Promoting Interoperability Hardship Exception and Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception applications are due for clinicians and groups who believe they are eligible for a re-weighting of one or more performance categories.
• Dec. 31 – 2021 virtual group election period closes.
• Jan. 4 – 2020 MIPS performance year data submission window opens.
• March 1 - Deadline for CMS to receive 2020 claims data for the Quality performance category. Claims must be received by CMS within 60 days of the end of the performance period. Deadline dates vary to submit claims. Check with your MAC for specific instructions.
• March 31 - 2020 MIPS performance year data submission window closes.