Your Quick Guide to the Next Phase of MIPS Reporting
If your practice participates in or is eligible for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under the Quality Payment Program (QPP), then you need to be aware of the emerging reporting framework called MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs). In this post, we’ll cover:
What MVPs are and why they were created
How MVPs differ from “traditional” MIPS reporting
Who can participate and when
Key requirements: registration, performance categories, measures, and foundational layer
The list of current MVPs and how practices can select one
Practical steps for your practice (especially if you use CareMedix services) to prepare
Some “hidden” or less commonly-discussed aspects you should know
MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) provide an optional alternative to traditional MIPS reporting. They focus on performance measures and activities specific to a medical specialty or condition. This approach makes reporting simpler by highlighting clinically relevant measures, reducing complexity, and making participation more meaningful. MVPs cover Quality, Cost, and Improvement Activities categories within the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
Key Features of MVPs
Specialty-Focused: MVPs are designed for specific specialties or conditions, making reporting more relevant and practical for everyday clinical work.
Simplified Reporting: Instead of choosing from a long list of traditional MIPS measures, MVPs offer a clear, streamlined, and user-friendly way to report.
Integrated Framework: MVPs bring together quality, cost, and improvement activities into a single pathway. They include Promoting Interoperability measures and claims-based measures as core elements.
Voluntary Participation: Clinicians can choose MVPs instead of traditional MIPS. While optional now, CMS plans to make MVPs the standard in the future.
Scoring: Scoring in MVPs closely follows traditional MIPS, with similar category weights, so the evaluation process is familiar.
Registration: Clinicians must register during the designated period and can report either individually or as part of a subgroup.
What are MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs)?
MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) are a reporting option under MIPS designed to streamline and align reporting for clinicians, groups, subgroups, or APM (Alternative Payment Model) entities. In plain terms: instead of a generic “choose any measures across many different specialties” approach, an MVP is a specialty – condition – or population-focused “pathway” that bundles together relevant performance measures (quality, cost, improvement activities) plus a foundational set of population health and interoperability measures.
The key objectives of MVPs are:
Reduce the reporting burden by narrowing the set of measures to those most relevant to a specialty or condition.
Improve relevance of the measures so that they more meaningfully reflect care delivered in a specialty/condition context.
Align reporting across categories (Quality, Cost, Improvement Activities, Promoting Interoperability & Population Health) in a way that makes sense for that specialty.
Ultimately, help transition towards value-based care and reduce the silos of measure reporting.
It’s important to understand that participating in an MVP is optional currently, but the trend is that it may become the future standard for MIPS reporting.
Differences between MVPs and traditional MIPS
Below is a side-by-side overview of the main differences between the Traditional MIPS and the MVP framework:
Feature
Traditional MIPS
MVPs
Measure choice
Broad inventory of measures across specialties; practices select many measures.
Typically, 4 quality measures for MVP (including at least one outcome or high-priority measure) are in the pathway.
Required number of quality measures
Typically, 6 quality measures (or whatever rule year defines) across many options.
Foundational layer/population health & interoperability
MVPe are currently optional, but the expectation is that they will become the standard, and traditional MIPS will be sunset.
Some overlapping requirements, but not as integrated.
MVPs include a “foundational layer” consisting of Promoting Interoperability (PI) and population health – administrative claims measures that apply to all MVPs.
Subgroup reporting
Beginning in the coming years, multispecialty groups will need to form subgroups aligned to the MVPs they select.
Potentially higher burden due to broad choice and less specialty alignment.
Burden and relevance
Traditional MIPS is the current standard.
Designed to reduce burden, increase relevance; fewer but more intentional measures.
Mandatory vs optional
MVPs are currently optional, but the expectation is that they will become the standard and traditional MIPS will be sunset.
MVPe iscurrently optional, but the expectation is that it will become the standard, and traditional MIPS will be sunset.
So, for a practice that is specialty-focused or wishes to align better with condition-specific performance, MVPs represent a meaningful shift.
Who can report MVPs & When
Who is eligible
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and related guidance, eligible clinicians, groups (single specialty or multispecialty), and APM Entities can elect to report an MVP. For example, a single-specialty group (one specialty type under Medicare Part B claims) or a multispecialty group (two or more specialty types) may choose to participate. For multispecialty groups, subgrouping may be required in the future.
When to register / deadlines
For the 2024 or 2025 performance year (depending on the MVP), there are specific registration windows. For example:
For 2024 reporting, the registration window is April 1 – November 30 (for 2024) for some groups.
For 2025, the registration period is April 1 – December 1, 2025 (for those who want to report the CAHPS survey) in some cases.
Practices selecting an MVP must communicate to CMS via the QPP site, choose the pathway, and indicate whether they will use the CAHPS for MIPS Survey (if included) or outcomes-based administrative claims measure (if available).
Timeline and future expectations
MVPs were introduced for performance years beginning with 2023 (voluntary) and expanded in 2024-2025.
CMS has stated that they intend to sunset traditional MIPS in a “future year” and transition more fully to MVPs (though the exact timeline has not yet been defined
Multispecialty groups will be required to form subgroups to report MVPs beginning in 2026.
When a practice elects an MVP, here are the major components and what must be reported:
Performance Categories
MVPs still use the main four (or actually five) performance categories that clinicians report under MIPS:
Quality
Cost
Improvement Activities
Promoting Interoperability (PI)
Population Health – this is part of the foundational layer in MVPs.
Foundational Layer
Every MVP includes a “foundational layer” that applies across all specialties, consisting of:
Population health measures (claims-based)
Promoting Interoperability (PI) measures (same as traditional MIPS for MVP participants) For example, two population health measures available include:
Measure Q479: Hospital-Wide, 30-day, All-Cause Unplanned Readmission Rate for MIPS Groups
Measure Q484: Clinician and Clinician Group Risk-standardized Hospital Admission Rates for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions In 2025, clinicians will no longer be required to select a population health measure at registration; CMS will calculate both available measures and assign the higher-scoring one to their Quality score.
Quality Category
Within the selected MVP pathway, clinicians (or groups) must select a set number of quality measures:
Generally, 4 quality measures, at least 1 must be an outcome measure (or if outcome not applicable, a high-priority measure) from that pathway. These measures will be more relevant to the specialty/condition the pathway covers.
Improvement Activities (IA) Category
Participants must select improvement activities from the pathway’s list. Reporting options include:
For example, 2 medium-weighted IAs, or 1 high-weighted IA; or in some circumstances, participation in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) or comparable practice. These must align with what the MVP defines for that specialty/condition.
Cost Category
CMS uses Medicare claims data to calculate performance on cost measures included in each MVP. There is no data submission requirement for clinicians for cost (since claims are used).
Promoting Interoperability (PI)
The PI category remains similar to traditional MIPS for those participating via MVP. That means if you are reporting via MVP, you must attest to the same PI measures (unless you qualify for reweighting or have a hardship).
List of Current MVPs & How to Choose One
Available MVPs
As of the 2025 performance year, CMS has approved a growing list of MVPs (some new, some modified). Some of them include:
Adopting Best Practices and Promoting Patient Safety within Emergency Medicine
Advancing Cancer Care
Advancing Care for Heart Disease
Advancing Rheumatology Patient Care
Complete Ophthalmologic Care (new in 2025)
Coordinating Stroke Care to Promote Prevention and Cultivate Positive Outcomes
Dermatological Care (new in 2025)
Focusing on Women’s Health
Gastroenterology Care (new in 2025)
Improving Care for Lower Extremity Joint Repair
Optimal Care for Kidney Health
Optimal Care for Patients with Urologic Conditions (new in 2025)
Patient Safety and Support of Positive Experiences with Anesthesia
Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Disorders Including Hepatitis C and HIV
Pulmonology Care (new in 2025)
Quality Care for Patients with Neurological Conditions (consolidated in 2025)
Quality Care for the Treatment of Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders
Quality Care in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Rehabilitative Support for Musculoskeletal Care
Surgical Care (new in 2025)
Value in Primary Care (MVP of generalist focus)
How to select the right MVP
When choosing an MVP (which is a step you should begin early), your practice should consider:
What specialty or condition does your practice focus on (or your largest volume)? If you are primarily a primary care practice, “Value in Primary Care” may make sense. If you are in orthopedics, maybe “Improving Care for Lower Extremity Joint Repair”.
What measures are included in the MVP (review the measure list for that pathway), and whether your practice already collects or can collect the data.
The improvement activity options in that MVPs and whether your workflow aligns.
Whether your practice is a single‐specialty or multispecialty group (for multispecialty, you may need subgroups).
The reporting burden: whether you have resources (staff, EHR capability) to track, submit, and monitor the selected pathway.
Timing: register early, ensure you meet deadlines, and plan your data collection.
At the time of registration, you must select your MVP, and if applicable, indicate if you will use CAHPS for MIPS Survey, and whether you’ll be evaluated on an outcomes-based claims quality measure.
At CareMedix, we can assist you with: measure-selection support, data collection tools, dashboards, submission preparation, benchmarking, and ongoing performance monitoring. Early preparation puts you in the best position to succeed.
Lesser-Discussed or “Missed” Aspects You Should Know
When reading about MVPs, you’ll often see the big headlines (fewer measures, specialty focus, etc). But here are some additional nuances and “gotchas”:
Subgroup reporting complexity
For multispecialty groups, one of the biggest changes is the need to form subgroups aligned to the MVP chosen. For example, a group with cardiology + dermatology may need two subgroups, each selecting the appropriate MVP. This adds complexity to governance, data submission, and administration.
Claims-based measures and administrative data
The population health measures and cost components rely heavily on Medicare claims data (administrative data) rather than clinician-reported or registry-reported measures. That means accurate claims submission, correct attribution,n, and timely billing matter more than ever.
Outcome measures and high-priority measures
In the quality category for an MVP, at least one outcome measure (or high-priority measure if outcome not available) must be selected. Outcome measures often have smaller case minimums or more stringent criteria. Practices should evaluate whether they have enough volume to meet the case minimums or risk receiving zero points for that measure.
Timing and dual-track strategy
Because MVPs are optional for now, many practices adopt a dual strategy: they select an MVP and begin collecting data, but still monitor what their traditional MIPS score would be. This helps mitigate risk in the transition years.
Technical / data infrastructure readiness
Given the focus on specialty/condition-specific measures, some practices find that their EHR is not currently capturing all the relevant data elements. For example, measures related to social drivers of health screening, or new cost/episode measures, may require new workflows. Investing in data capture, reporting tools, and vendor support is critical.
Future rulemaking & sunset of traditional MIPS
CMS has not yet set an official date for when traditional MIPS will end, but the general guidance is that MVPs will take over in the future. Practices should assume change is coming and prepare accordingly.
Why This Matters for Your Practice & Patients
Why should your practice care about MVPs? Some of the major reasons:
Reduced burden and increased relevance: By focusing on measures aligned to your specialty/condition, you avoid reporting many unrelated measures.
Improved comparability: As more practices adopt the same pathway, the results become more meaningful for patients when comparing clinician performance.
Better alignment with value-based care: MVPs reflect the shift from fee-for-service to value (quality + cost + patient experience), which is the direction of federal payment policy.
Potential reimbursement impact: Since MIPS performance affects Medicare payment adjustments (bonuses/penalties), being ahead of the curve and optimizing your MVP performance can affect your bottom line.
Patient experience and outcomes: Many of the measures are focused on outcomes, patient safety, cost-efficient care, and population health. Aligning our practice with these goals can translate into better care and a better reputation
Strategic advantage: Early adopters of MVPs will likely have an operational advantage when the transition becomes mandatory, giving you more time to optimize.
Practical Steps for Your Practice (and How CareMedix Can Help)
Given the above, here’s a practical “playbook” for your practice, especially if you partner with CareMedix for quality and reporting support.
Evaluate your historical MIPS performance: what quality measures you’ve used, what your strengths/weaknesses are.
Map your workflow to the MVP requirements..
Review the measure list for the selected MVP (quality, IA, cost, foundational).
Identify which measures you already collect, which you need to start collecting.
Determine how your EHR (electronic health record) and data systems capture necessary data (for example, outcome measures, claims data, etc).
Identify staff roles: who will capture data, who will submit, and who will monitor.
Register for your chosen MVP..
Monitor the registration window (for performance year 2025: April 1 – December 1, 2025, for some).
On the QPP website, select the MVP, indicate CAHPS survey participation (if applicable), and indicate whether you’ll be evaluated on an outcomes-based claims quality measure.
Collect and monitor data throughout the year..
Track quality measures for the pathway; ensure you have the required “at least one outcome or high-priority measure”.
Track improvement activities and attest accordingly.
For cost, be aware that it uses claims to ensure your patient populations, billing/claims submissions are accurate.
For the foundation layer: ensure your PI data is submitted and that the applicable population health measures are accounted for (even if CMS calculates them for you).
Use dashboards or vendor tools (CareMedix can help create dashboards) to monitor performance mid-year so you’re not surprised at year-end.
Submit data and compare options..
Although you may report via MVP, note that you may still have the option to report via traditional MIPS (whichever yields a better score) in some years. Some vendors recommend a “dual track” approach during the transition.
After submission, review your performance results, compare them to benchmarks, and prepare for any necessary improvements.
Start planning for the transition and future years.
Recognize that MVPs are being expanded and may become mandatory. Staying ahead gives your practice an advantage.
Especially for multispecialty groups: begin planning subgroups now (since subgroup reporting becomes required in 2026).
Use this year to test the pathway, refine workflows, and build infrastructure for long-term success. CareMedix gives the best MIPS value pathways MVPs services in the USA
Summary & Next Steps
In sum: MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) represent a significant evolution of the MIPS reporting framework. They are specialty- and condition-focused reporting “pathways” that bundle relevant measures and improvement activities, include a foundational layer of interoperability/population health, and aim to simplify and refine the reporting burden. While participation is optional for now, the trend is toward broader adoption and eventual requirement.
To get ready: evaluate your practice, choose the appropriate MVP, ensure you’re registered in the timeframe, align your EHR/data workflows, track required measures, monitor your progress, and position yourself for the future.
At CareMedix, we recommend you start now, even if you’re not yet switching fully to an MVP. Use this time to pilot the pathway, identify any gaps in your data processes, and build the foundation so you’re ready when the transition becomes inevitable.
If you’d like help selecting the right MVP, mapping your workflow, designing dashboards, or submitting your data
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