What was the purpose of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)?

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was primarily designed to reform the Medicare payment system. This landmark legislation, enacted in 2015, aimed to transition Medicare from a fee-for-service model to a system that emphasizes quality and value-based care. One of MACRA's main components is the Quality Payment Program (QPP), which incentivizes healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of services delivered.

By shifting the focus towards value and quality over volume, MACRA seeks to encourage healthcare providers to pursue care best practices, ultimately leading to better patient experiences and health outcomes. This transformation is significant as it aligns the reimbursement process with the overall goals of improving healthcare quality while controlling costs.

In contrast, while MACRA does include provisions related to physician reimbursement rates, this is not its primary purpose. The act does not aim to limit patient access to specialists or tighten regulations on healthcare providers broadly; rather, it facilitates a system where improvements in care can lead to better financial rewards for providers.