Planning For Your Future

Using MACRA software from a company like C3 Partners to comply with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reathorization Act can make any necessary transitions effortless and more organized. However, it can at first seem overwhelming to make changes in the way your office collects Medicare payments by shifting over to unfamiliar software.

The following are six mistakes to avoid when you start out with MACRA software to make the transition as effortless and successful as possible:

Failing to consolidate vendor data

It's a good idea to take some time to consolidate any vendor data when moving over to a MACRA software system.

You should weed out vendors who you're not working with any more. You should also carefully evaluate the Medicare billing system you were using previously and analyze which of the past tasks your new software will handle and which ones you need to integrate with your software to handle as efficiently as possible. 

Being unaware of data requirements

Initially, physicians and other organizations that bill Medicare only need to report 90 days of data within the year. Because the year 2017 is considered a transition year, requirements are reduced. This means that you don't have to report data from the entire year of 2017. 

Using submission methods that are excessively costly

When you're considering the process of submitting data, you need to look into how much labor it takes you and try to minimize labor costs where possible. Labor costs for MACRA data submission can significantly raise administrative costs at your facility.

With MACRA, you need to make submissions for various performance categories. You also need to avoid overlooking any reporting needs you have with the public health registry. 

Not having a dedicated staff member

If you have the resources, it's a good idea to have a staff member who is dedicated to working on your MACRA software. 

A dedicated staff member will be aware of all the tasks you need to carry out with the software and all the problems that come up as you begin incorporating the software into your facility's everyday operations.

Neglecting IT resources

If you're planning on dealing with MACRA compliance through MACRA software, you need to get your IT staff involved. Incorporating any software into your workplace takes IT expertise and will require installation in your facility's computers. 

Being unaware of the advantages

To best take advantage of MACRA software, you need to be aware of the specific advantages that software provides to those needing to be MACRA compliant.

Remember that MACRA is about replacing the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula while also extending CHIP coverage. Also, MACRA software allows physicians to determine a conversion rate depending on a score derived from various MACRA factors.