A Deep Dive into Our Recent Podcast with MIPS Authority Marnie Stewart Ehrlich
Let’s be honest: MIPS is one of those acronyms that makes even the most seasoned healthcare providers want to throw their hands up in frustration. The Merit-based Incentive Payment System—introduced by CMS in 2017—was supposed to improve the quality of care. Instead, it’s become a bureaucratic labyrinth that costs doctors thousands of dollars in penalties and countless hours of confusion.
That’s why we sat down with Marnie Stewart Ehrlich, CEO of TechLeaders Consulting LLC, for what turned into one of our most eye-opening podcast conversations. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by MIPS reporting requirements or blindsided by payment adjustments—this article is for you.
The Problem: Why the Stakes Are So High
During our conversation, Marnie didn’t mince words: “A lot of doctors really dislike MIPS, and it’s not just frustration. The measures don’t reflect real clinical care, and the constantly changing rules make it nearly impossible to keep up.”
Here’s what makes MIPS so challenging:
The Financial Impact
- Non-compliance results in a 9% penalty on ALL Medicare Part B reimbursements
- This operates on a two-year cycle: what you don’t report in 2024 will cost you in 2027
- Medicare Advantage programs are now also monitoring MIPS scores
- For a practice billing $500,000 annually in Medicare Part B, that’s a $45,000 hit
The Complexity
- 198 different quality measures to choose from
- Some measures are “topped out” and worth zero points (you can report perfectly and get nothing)
- You must submit patient-level detail on 75% of ALL patients (not just Medicare)
- EMR systems don’t always correlate with what you bill Medicare
- One missed checkbox can tank your entire score
The Solution: How Marnie’s Team Changes the Game
1. Free Eligibility Verification
Not every provider has to report MIPS. You’re required if you meet ALL three criteria:
- Bill more than $90,000 in Medicare Part B allowed charges
- Serve more than 200 Medicare Part B beneficiaries
- Furnish more than 200 covered professional services
“This is based on 2024 data, and it’s calculated per tax ID,” Marnie explained. “You can’t just guess—you need to check the CMS website or let us do it for you.”
His team offers this verification completely free of charge.
2. Working with Paper Charts
Most MIPS consultants say paper charts make compliance impossible. Marnie says it’s just more challenging—and he’s developed workarounds.
“We retrieve billing reports and use algorithms to determine eligible patients based on what’s been fed into the billing system—which is what CMS actually sees. Then we work with the provider to determine documentation patterns. Even if it’s on paper, we can make it work.”
3. De-Identifying Data to Reduce Audit Risk
While Medicare doesn’t require you to de-identify patient data, Marnie strongly recommends it.
“We always suggest de-identifying the data. We come up with coding—even if you don’t have it in your EMR—to de-identify patients. This dramatically reduces your audit risk.”
4. Correlation Analysis Between Billing and EMR
One of the most common scoring problems? Disconnection between what you bill and what’s documented in your EMR.
“The analysis we do is the correlation of what you submit to Medicare via billing versus what’s in your EMR. That’s critical to reduce audit risk and maximize your score.”
This correlation analysis is what separates a failing MIPS score from a passing one.
5. Strategic Measure Selection
With 198 quality measures available, choosing the right ones is critical.
“Some measures are topped out—they’re worth no points,” Marnie warned. “There’s a whole scoring system where you can get 10 points or one point. If you get one point, you’ll need to report more measures.”
His team strategically selects measures that maximize your score based on your specific practice patterns and specialty.
6. Understanding the 75-Point Threshold
Many providers don’t realize MIPS scoring is a sliding scale.
“You have to achieve 75 out of 100 points to avoid penalties,” Marnie explained. “But here’s what people miss: you need to report on 75% of ALL patients—not just Medicare patients.”
This distinction trips up countless providers who assume MIPS only applies to their Medicare population.
The March Deadline: Why It Matters Now
As of this podcast recording, providers had less than a month to submit their 2024 MIPS data.
“If you didn’t report and you didn’t take an exclusion in 2024, you would be seeing a 9% payment adjustment on your Medicare Part B claims in 2027,” Marnie stressed.
What you do (or don’t do) now will directly impact your revenue two years from now. And it’s not just Medicare—Medicare Advantage programs are watching too.
The good news? “We’re here 24/7 to help you get through this for 2025, and we can work with you for 2026,” Marnie promised.
Why Marnie’s Approach Works
Throughout our conversation, one theme kept emerging: Marnie’s approach isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about actually understanding your practice and creating sustainable compliance strategies.
His clients keep coming back year after year because the peace of mind is worth it. They know their MIPS reporting is handled correctly, their audit risk is minimized, and they can focus on patient care.
“The fear is not necessarily an issue if you know what you’re doing and have the right set of people guiding you through the process,” Marnie said.
Don’t Navigate This Alone
We’ve seen too many providers try to handle MIPS on their own, spending hours researching and still ending up with penalties. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Marnie’s team at TechLeaders Consulting offers:
- Free eligibility verification
- Paper chart and EMR support
- Patient data de-identification
- Billing-EMR correlation analysis
- Strategic measure selection
- 24/7 availability
Contact Marnie Stewart Ehrlich:
TechLeaders Consulting LLC
Business: (631) 757-6363
Cell: (908) 759-3270
Email: mehrlich@tleaders.net
Website: www.techleadersconsult.com
MIPS isn’t going away. The penalties are real. The complexity is overwhelming. But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to consume your time or peace of mind.
Don’t let MIPS reporting become a $45,000 mistake. Don’t spend your evenings trying to decode CMS regulations. Don’t risk audit penalties because of documentation disconnects you didn’t know existed.
Reach out to Marnie. Get your free eligibility verification. Have a real conversation about your practice’s specific situation.
Watch the Full Podcast: https://youtu.be/JQGjGIvcYWc
Share this article with healthcare providers in your network who might be struggling with MIPS compliance.
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