MACRA: The Law in Brief

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)1 was signed into law on April 16, 2015. Title I of MACRA will make fundamental changes to how Medicare Part B will compensate physicians beginning in 2019. This brief explains the factors influencing the passage of MACRA, how the law will impact physicians, considerations for physicians as they prepare for MACRA payment changes, and how the forthcoming regulations will further clarify MACRA’s role in driving alternative payment models for physicians under Medicare and beyond.