What is the purpose of the Quality Payment Program (QPP)?

The Quality Payment Program (QPP) is fundamentally designed to transform the way healthcare is delivered under Medicare, specifically focusing on enhancing the quality of care provided to patients rather than simply the quantity of care. By shifting from a volume-based approach, which incentivizes the number of procedures or visits, to a value-based model, the QPP emphasizes outcomes, patient engagement, and overall quality of care.

This transition aims to ensure that healthcare providers are rewarded for delivering high-quality services that improve patient health and satisfaction, rather than being incentivized purely for the number of services rendered. The program encompasses various components, including the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs), both of which assess value based on quality, costs, and other relevant measures.

This focus on value not only aims to enhance patient care but also works towards reducing healthcare costs over time, aligning financial incentives with patient outcomes. The emphasis on improved quality reflects the broader goals of the healthcare system to provide better care to patients while ensuring that services are efficient and effective.