Current cost measure activities 

CMS works with contractors to develop the methods for analyzing costs in episode-based cost measures and to seek input during the cost measure development process. Learn more about the current and ongoing cost measure activities below from:

Wave 6 cost measure development (2023-2024)

• Summary of Wave 6 Workgroup Meetings (ZIP) contains a high-level summary for the measure-specific workgroup meetings held in 6/2023.
• Summary of Wave 6 Service Assignment and Refinement (SAR) Workgroup Meetings (ZIP) contains a high-level summary of each of the measure-specific workgroup meetings held in 10/2023.
• Summary of Wave 6 Post-Field Test Refinement (PFTR) Workgroup Meetings (ZIP) contains a high-level summary of each of the measure-specific workgroup meetings held in 3/2024 to discuss final refinements to the measures. 
• Wave 6 Measure-Specific Workgroup Composition List (PDF) is the list of members of the measure-specific workgroups that met in 6/2023 to give detailed clinical input on the measure specifications for the episode groups being developed in Wave 6.
• Episode-Based Cost Measure Specifications (ZIP) includes the current cost measure methodology and cost measure codes lists for each of the 2 episode-based cost measures developed during Wave 6. Section 3 of each measure methodology document contains a high-level summary of the measure specifications.

Wave 6 cost measures field testing

From February 1 to March 14, 2024, we field tested 2 newly developed Wave 6 episode-based cost measures for consideration in MIPS. During field testing, eligible clinicians and clinician groups were able to download their Field Test Reports from the Quality Payment Program website and give feedback on the draft measure specifications. These reports were for field testing only, and don’t affect any scoring or payment adjustments.

Learn more:

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF) gives you information about the cost measures and field testing in a question and answer format.
• Wave 6 Measure Development Process (PDF) describes our approach to measure development.
• User Access Guide (PDF) explains how to access your Field Test Report(s) on the Quality Payment Program website.
• Mock Field Test Reports (ZIP) contains sample Field Test Reports that are representative of each reporting level. Each ZIP file includes a PDF Field Test Report, a supplemental comma-separated values (CSV) file with episode-level data, and the data dictionary for the metrics used in the CSV file.

You can also review the supplemental documents for the 2 episode-based cost measures:

• Questions for Field Testing Measure Specifications (PDF) contains questions on the specifications of each of the measures as included in the online field testing survey and accompanies the draft specifications for each measure.
• Person and Family Engagement (PFE) Cost Measures Field Testing Feedback Survey (PDF) contains questions on the measures being field tested as included in the online PFE survey, and it is intended for patient and family/caregiver input.
• Measure Testing Forms (ZIP) has detailed testing results for the 2 episode-based cost measures. 
• Field Testing Feedback Summary Report (PDF) summarizes the feedback from interested parties on the 2 episode-based cost measures that were field tested as part of the measure development process 

Cost measure comprehensive reevaluation (2023-2024)

• 2023 Comprehensive Reevaluation Public Comment Summary Report (PDF) describes input received during the initial MACRA Episode-Based Cost Measures Comprehensive Reevaluation public comment period requesting public feedback on MSPB Clinician, TPCC, and the episode-based cost measures developed during Wave 2, which was held from June 27, 2023, to July 21, 2023.
• 2024 Public Comment Summary Report for the Comprehensive Reevaluation of the Total Per Capita Cost (TPCC) Measure (PDF) describes input received during the second round of public comment on the comprehensive reevaluation of the TPCC measure requesting public feedback on potential refinements to the TPCC measure, which was held from April 25, 2024, to May 17, 2024.