About MIPS in 2021
Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is the default QPP participation pathway for most physicians. MIPS is composed of four performance categories, which contribute a specified weight to the overall MIPS final score:
Scoring
- In 2021, surgeons will need to score a total of at least 60 points to avoid a payment penalty in 2023.
- CMS will assign a MIPS final score to individual clinicians, group practices, virtual groups, and alternative payment model (APM) entities. The final score reflects performance across the four categories and can range from 0 to 100 points.
- Surgeons can receive positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustments based on their final score (see diagram below).
- If a surgeon or group is required to report MIPS and chooses not to in 2021, they would receive the full -9% Medicare payment adjustment in 2023.

Surgeons seeking assistance in planning for 2021 QPP and MIPS participation or understanding their 2020 MIPS feedback reports should e-mail qualityDC@facs.org.