AMGA Recommends CMS Incentivize Value In MACRA

AMGA thanks the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its efforts in drafting the proposed rule to implement the Quality Payment Program (QPP) for 2018. AMGA recognizes the burden the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) places on small practices and appreciates the options for them to participate. However, AMGA remains concerned the proposed rule delays the transition to value and does not recognize the investment that AMGA members have made in preparing for a value-based health care system. 

“If CMS wants to transition to value-based payment for care, the program needs to be fully implemented,” said Chester A. Speed, J.D., LL.M., AMGA’s vice president, public policy. “We recommend that CMS revise its proposal to fully incentivize high performers in the Medicare program.” 

AMGA welcomes CMS’ invitation to provide comment on options to allow clinicians’ contracts with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that meet the risk, quality, and certified electronic health information technology requirements to be included under the beneficiary count test for the 5% Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) bonus in 2019 and 2020. Even though CMS expects all current Advanced APM participants to meet the thresholds for Advanced APM qualifications, revising the regulations to allow additional providers to be considered will encourage participation in such value-focused models. In addition, more than 31% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a MA plan and with the popularity of the program, numbers are increasing. By providing another pathway for participation, CMS would include more patients and providers in Advanced APMs.

“CMS has an opportunity to revise this proposal to reflect Congress’ intent to move the Medicare system to one that rewards results,” Speed added. “AMGA members have already started on this journey, and they should be recognized for being leaders in health care.”  

AMGA will review the rule closely and provide detailed comments. 

About AMGA
AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of health care in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of medical groups’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, cost-effective care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans. For more information, visit amga.org