Choose the right reporting pathway for your practice. Compare requirements, scoring weights, and eligibility across all three available options for the 2026 performance year.
Each pathway has different registration requirements, measure sets, and eligibility rules. Select the option that best fits your practice type and specialty.
Understanding how each category is weighted is essential to maximizing your MIPS score. Weights vary by option and practice size.
| Category | Traditional MIPS | MVPs | APP / APP Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 30% standard 40% small practices 55% APM Entities |
30% standard 40% small practices 55% APM Entities |
50% standard 75% small practices |
| Cost | 30% standard 0% APM Entities |
30% standard 0% APM Entities |
N/A — 0% |
| Improvement Activities | 15% standard 30% small practices |
15% standard 30% small practices |
20% (all practice sizes) |
| Promoting Interoperability | 25% standard 0% small practices 30% APM Entities |
25% standard 0% small practices 30% APM Entities |
30% standard 0% small practices |
| Complex Patient Bonus | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | Not specified |
| Participation Level | Traditional MIPS | MVPs | APP / APP Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Group | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Subgroup | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Virtual Group | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| APM Entity | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Opt-In Eligible | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Voluntary Reporter | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Determine whether you are required to participate in MIPS, opt-in eligible, or qualify as a voluntary reporter using your NPI and the CMS QPP Eligibility API.
CMS determines MIPS eligibility based on your billing activity. Clinicians must meet or exceed all three low-volume thresholds to be required to participate:
Depending on your billing activity and APM participation, you may fall into one of these categories:
Data sourced from the CMS QPP Eligibility API. Results reflect the most recent available performance year data.
Enter your NPI to check your MIPS eligibility status via the CMS QPP API.
Powered by the CMS QPP Eligibility API • API Documentation
Follow these four questions to identify the best reporting pathway for your practice.
If you are in a MIPS APM such as an ACO, you may be eligible for the APP or APP Plus pathway.
→ Consider APP / APP PlusWith 27 MVPs available in 2026, many specialties now have a pathway. MVPs are the future of MIPS and will eventually be required.
→ Consider MVPs — Register by Dec 1Only Traditional MIPS allows opt-in eligible clinicians and voluntary reporters. MVPs and APP do not support these participation types.
→ Traditional MIPS only optionSmall practices have distinct scoring weights. Quality receives higher weight (40% Traditional/MVP, 75% APP), and Promoting Interoperability is 0%.
→ Review weights carefullyPlan ahead to ensure timely registration, reporting, and submission for the 2026 performance year.
Advance Registration window opens for the 2026 performance year. Early registration recommended.
Last day to register for a MIPS Value Pathway for the 2026 performance year.
⚠️ Hard Deadline2026 MIPS performance year ends. Hardship Exception Application deadline also falls on this date.
2026 data submission period opens. Typically closes in mid-March 2027.
2026 performance year results impact 2028 Medicare Part B payment adjustments (positive or negative %).
Dagger Healthcare Solutions provides full-service MIPS reporting support — from eligibility checks and measure selection to data submission and score optimization.