The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance feedback and final scores for the 2025 performance year. These final scores will determine the MIPS payment adjustments eligible clinicians and group practices receive in 2027. CMS expects 2027 MIPS payment adjustment information to be available in approximately one month. Physicians and practices should review their performance feedback and final scores now to ensure the information is accurate.
If an eligible clinician or group believes CMS incorrectly calculated its 2025 MIPS final score or associated 2027 payment adjustment, it may request a targeted review. The targeted review period opened with the release of final scores and will remain open until 30 days after CMS releases the 2027 MIPS payment adjustments. CMS is expected to announce the availability of payment adjustment information through the Quality Payment Program (QPP) listserv.
Examples of circumstances that may warrant a targeted review include:
- MIPS data were submitted under the wrong Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or National Provider Identifier (NPI).
- A clinician has Qualifying Alternative Payment Model (APM) Participant (QP) status and should not receive a MIPS payment adjustment.
- Performance categories were not automatically reweighted even though the clinician or practice qualified for reweighting because of extreme and uncontrollable circumstances.
CMS generally requires supporting documentation for targeted review requests, although the documentation needed will depend on the circumstances. A CMS representative will contact the requester if additional information is required. If CMS approves a targeted review that results in a scoring change, CMS will update the clinician's or group's final score and, when applicable, the associated payment adjustment as soon as technically feasible. CMS targeted review decisions are final and are not eligible for further review.
To review 2025 MIPS performance feedback or submit a targeted review, clinicians and groups should sign in to the Quality Payment Program website using Health Care Quality Information Systems (HCQIS) Access Roles and Profile (HARP) credentials. These are the same credentials used to submit 2025 MIPS data. Once signed in, select “Targeted Review” on the left-hand navigation.
CMS is also seeking physician and practice feedback through its MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) Adoption Survey.
CMS is interested in hearing from practices at all stages of MVP adoption, including those that reported an MVP for the 2025 performance year, are preparing to report an MVP for 2026, or have not yet begun the transition. The survey comes as CMS considers changes to the future of MIPS, including proposals in the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule related to transitioning away from traditional MIPS and toward MVP reporting beginning in 2029.
Physicians and practices are encouraged to participate in the survey, particularly those interested in providing feedback about the potential transition to mandatory MVP reporting. Participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential. Responses will be reported to CMS in aggregate to protect the identities of participating individuals, groups and organizations. Eligible clinicians may also be able to receive MIPS Improvement Activity credit for completing the survey. Physicians and practices can complete the MVP Adoption Survey online. Questions about the survey may be directed to qppuserresearch@cms.hhs.gov.
For further information, please contact MSMS Director of Health Quality, Equity and Technology, Dara J. Barrera at 517-336-5766 or djbarrera@msms.org.