MACRA Online Course - MACRA MADE EASY - Guidance for APM and MIPS Proficiency

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk

MACRA MADE EASY is a self-led online micro training course guiding APM and MIPS proficiency for professional fee coders and billers in physician practices. It explains value-based care and QPP fundamentals enacted under MACRA, emphasizing Medicare Part B payment impacts and CMS reporting requirements. Learners review eligibility, exceptions, payment adjustments, bonuses, and MIPS score calculations across performance categories. The curriculum includes reading assignments, exercises, an interactive lecture, and an AAPC MACRA Proficiency Exam, with completion certificate and 7 CEUs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Course Overview

Prerequisites, Duration, and Format

Course Description and Objectives

Course Content and Evaluation

Reading and Exercises by Chapter

Tips for MACRA Compliance in 2019

Methods of Evaluation and CEUs

MACRA Online Course – MACRA MADE EASY: Guidance for APM and MIPS Proficiency Prerequisites: Minimum of two years coding experience and coding certification strongly recommended. Clock Hours: 7 (Note: 7 clock hours accounts only for time spent in the online course and does not include time spent outside the course or study time. Study time will vary widely per individual.) Course Length: To be completed at student’s own pace within a 1-year period or less. Enrollment date begins at date of purchase. Monthly course extensions may be purchased. Class Hours: Days/Times Per Week: Online course, independent self-study, no classroom meetings; student may login to course at their own time schedule, no specific login times. Certificate of Completion Issued: Yes CEUs: 7 CEUs upon completion (AAPC certified prior to enrollment; some certifications excluded – see AAPC website for more details.) Course Description: The coding landscape in physician practices is changing rapidly under the new Quality Payment Program (QPP), enacted by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) . Coder’s play a key role in the successful transition of physicians and providers to new payment methods. Fundamental concepts in value-based care and quality payment models require professional fee coders and billers to shift from a procedural focus to a patient outcome focus. This course is designed to provide coders and other interested healthcare professionals with the knowledge required to apply their coding skills in a manner that continues to support changing payment rules. Essential QPP concepts are presented from the viewpoint of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) . This course includes detailed information in the reporting and scoring of clinical data as related to physicians’ payments under new payment tracks. Students will gain necessary insight leading to the ability to demonstrate their working knowledge and proficiency with MACRA. This is a self-led micro training course designed to deliver necessary insights in a condensed time frame. In most cases, the course is completed within 6 hours. Course Objectives: 􀁸 Upon completing this class, Students will have studied the concepts, skills, knowledge and terminology used within the QPP. 􀁸 Recognize the political and financial implications of MACRA associated with Medicare Part B payments. 􀁸 Students will recognize and correctly use coding conventions and guidelines as required for the 2019 performance period of the QPP and its two participation tracks: the Meritbased Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) . 􀁸 Demonstrate knowledge and competence in the processes of changing requirements for physician’s payments under: i. Advanced APMs ii. MIPs iii. MIPS APMs 􀁸 Explain the fundamentals of QPP provider eligibility 􀁸 Identify variances in QPP related reporting options 􀁸 Understand how bonuses are calculated 􀁸 Understand how scores are calculated for MIPS performance categories 􀁸 Understand how the MIPS Final Score is calculated 􀁸 Develop knowledge for the AAPC MACRA Proficiency Exam Course Content: Reading and Exercises: Textbook, AAPC’s MACRA Made Easy: Guidance for APM and MIPS Proficiency (online PDF) *Exercises are listed in italics following the reading assignments. 􀁸 Introduction 􀁸 Chapter 1 – Quality Payment Program Overview i. Review the glossary in your textbook, MACRA Terminology and Common Acronyms 􀁸 Chapter 2 – Eligibility and Exceptions i. Review the QPP Participation Status Tool at [https://qpp.cms.gov](https://qpp.cms.gov) 􀁸 Chapter 3 – Payment Adjustments and Bonus Options 􀁸 Chapter 4 – Small Practices 􀁸 Chapter 5 – Alternate Payment Models i. Go to [https://qpp.cms.gov/apms/overview](https://qpp.cms.gov/apms/overview and review the current)[ and review the current](https://qpp.cms.gov/apms/overview and review the current) lists of MIPS APMs, Advanced AP

FAQs

What are the prerequisites and recommended preparation for the course?

The course requires a minimum of two years of coding experience, and coding certification is strongly recommended.

How is the course structured in terms of time, access, and completion?

The course is self-led with no classroom meetings; students log in according to their own schedule. Completion is expected within 1 year or less, with optional monthly extensions purchasable.

What does the course cover regarding QPP, MIPS, and APMs?

It covers QPP fundamentals, provider eligibility, reporting and scoring of clinical data, participation tracks including MIPS and Advanced APMs, and how bonuses and the MIPS final score are calculated.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk