Improvement activities (15%)

In this performance category, clinicians are rewarded for care focused on care coordination, beneficiary engagement, and patient safety. For 2025 MIPS reporting, this category is worth 15% of the MIPS score with a maximum of 40 points available. There are 77 dermatology-relevant practice improvement activities (IAs) to choose from. 

Measure scoring

There are no longer high-weighted or medium-weighted activities. CMS has removed improvement activity weightings in order to simplify and streamline the reporting requirements for the performance category.

CMS added 2 new activities, modified 1 activity, and removed 4 activities. Please see below for dermatology relevant IAs.

Reporting period

Total maximum points for the IA category: 40

For clinicians, groups, and virtual groups with the small practice, rural, non-patient facing, or health professional shortage area special status:

• Must attest to 1 activity.

• Above listed groups will receive 40 points for each improvement activity.

For all other clinicians, groups, and virtual groups:

• Must attest to 2 activities.

• Above listed groups will receive 20 points for each improvement activity.

Note that the group participation threshold remains the same, at 50% participation of eligible clinicians in the group.

Multiple submissions

CMS will take the highest IA score if the submission type is different. CMS will take the most recent submission if the submission type is the same.

Practice improvement activities relevant to dermatology

Among the 2025 Improvement activities:

• None of the new IAs are relevant to dermatology

CMS modified one dermatology relevant IA:

• IA_ERP_6 COVID-19 Vaccine Achievement for Practice Staff, formally IA_PM_26 COVID-19 Vaccine Achievement for Practice Staff

CMS removed four dermatology relevant IAs:

• IA_ EPA_1 Provide 24/7 Access to MIPS Eligible Clinicians or Groups Who Have Real-Time Access to Patient's Medical Record

• IA_ERP_4 Implementation of a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Plan

• IA_ERP_5 Implementation of a Laboratory Preparedness Plan

• IA_PSPA_27 Invasive Procedure or Surgery Anticoagulation Medication Management

Reporting Options

Individual: Attestation, QCDR, Qualified Registry, EHR, CMS QPP Submission Portal

Group or virtual group: Attestation, QCDR, Qualified Registry, EHR, CMS QPP Submission Portal

Additional MIPS scoring information