The ACC has submitted extensive comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed regulations to implement the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) based on the feedback of key member groups. The MACRA legislation repealed the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, which focused on fee-for-service payment, where higher performing physicians had no ability to earn more for outcomes. Replacing SGR with MACRA will pave the way for a new payment system that places importance on quality care. MACRA also creates stability for Medicare payments by mapping out payment updates for ten years and beyond — stability that was severely lacking under the SGR formula. CMS will release the final regulations by Nov. 1, 2016, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017 — the proposed start of the reporting period under the new payment program. The ACC will continue to work with CMS throughout the regulatory process to establish details of how the law will function. The ACC will also be developing education and resources to help members prepare for the changes ahead. Read the College’s comments on ACC.org.