October 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to Quarter 4!
As of October 1st, Quarter 4 is officially underway! With three quarters of reporting now behind us, this is the perfect time to begin preparing your Quarter 3 data for feedback and review. Early review helps identify potential opportunities for improvement and ensures your practice remains on track for a successful reporting year.
If you have questions about your data or would like assistance preparing your submissions, please reach out to your Affordable QR representative.
2027 Virtual Group Registration Is Open
Virtual Group registration for the 2027 performance year opened on October 1 and will remain open through December 31.
A Virtual Group allows eligible solo practitioners and groups of 10 or fewer clinicians to join together and participate in MIPS as a single entity. If you are interested in exploring whether a Virtual Group may be a good fit for your practice, Affordable QR is here to help.
Contact an Affordable QR representative to learn more about eligibility requirements, benefits, and the registration process.
2025 Final Scores Are Available
2025 MIPS final scores have now been released.
We are still awaiting the release of the corresponding payment adjustments, which are expected sometime this month. Once CMS publishes the adjustment information, we will provide updates and guidance.
If you would like to review your score, discuss your performance, or better understand your results, please contact us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Educational Spotlight: Understanding MIPS Subgroups
As MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) become more prevalent, you may have heard the term “subgroup” and wondered what it means.
A subgroup is a subset of clinicians within the same Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) that includes at least two clinicians, one of whom must be MIPS eligible. Subgroup reporting is only available through MVP participation and requires advance registration with CMS. You must report as a subgroup/s if you are a large multispecialty group reporting an MVP.
Subgroups give practices additional flexibility by allowing clinicians within a larger organization to report together under an MVP that aligns with their specialty or area of focus, rather than reporting as an entire group. This is especially beneficial for multispecialty practices where different clinicians provide different types of care. CMS notes that clinicians can participate at the individual, group, subgroup, and/or APM Entity level, with the highest final score being applied for payment adjustment purposes when multiple participation options exist.
If your practice is considering MVP participation and would like to understand whether subgroup reporting may be an option, Affordable QR can help you evaluate the requirements and determine the best reporting strategy for your organization.
Client Success Spotlight
Did you know?
In 2025, 100% of Affordable QR clients received final MIPS scores that were equal to or higher than their originally projected scores.
We are incredibly thankful for the trust our clients place in us and proud of the results we continue to achieve together.
To celebrate, we’re offering a discount on 2027 reporting for clients who refer a colleague that chooses Affordable QR for their 2026 reporting needs.
Looking Ahead: 2027 Planning Meetings
Although we are focused on finishing a successful 2026 reporting year, it’s already time to begin planning for 2027.
Affordable QR will be scheduling planning meetings during the first week of November to discuss:
- Expected program changes for 2027
- How upcoming changes may affect your practice
- Measure selection and reporting strategy
- Opportunities to maximize performance and reduce reporting burden
Our team will begin reaching out shortly to get these meetings scheduled. We look forward to partnering with you to build a successful strategy for the upcoming reporting year.
Need Help?
Whether you have questions about Virtual Groups, subgroups, your 2025 final score, or upcoming 2027 planning, the Affordable QR team is here to help. Contact your Affordable QR representative today to schedule a consultation.
