IA_EPA_8Expanded Practice Access

Provide Education Opportunities for New Clinicians

2026 MIPS Improvement Activities

At a glance
Activity ID
IA_EPA_8
Subcategory
Expanded Practice Access
Category
Improvement Activities

Objective

Provide clinicians-in-training with diverse experiences, allowing them to gain deep understanding of the challenges facing eligible clinicians and patients in small practices or in underserved or rural areas.

Activity description

MIPS eligible clinicians acting as a preceptor for clinicians-in-training (such as medical residents/fellows, medical students, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists) and accepting such clinicians for clinical rotations in community practices in small, underserved, or rural areas.

Suggested documentation

 Evidence of participation as a preceptor for clinicians-in-training and accepting clinical rotations in community practices in small underserved or rural areas. Include all of the following elements:

1) Proof of preceptor role – Documentation of participation as a preceptor for eligible clinicians-in-training (e.g., contract or communications with an academic-based health care organization). Any  eligible clinician can serve as a preceptor; AND

2) Specific clinical rotations – Evidence of clinical rotation assignments in community practices in small, underserved, or rural areas.

The 2019 CMS Final Rule defines small, underserved, or rural areas by ZIP codes designated as rural, using the most recent Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Area Health Resource File data set. 

Improvement Activity details reference the CMS Quality Payment Program and change each performance year. Confirm requirements against the official CMS pages before attesting.