Premier, Lawmakers Call for Actions to Advance Value-based Models

Premier joined nine other organizations in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to hold off on proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In the CY 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule, CMS proposes reducing the required number of measures, providing flexibility in how measures are submitted and mitigating potential reductions in 2020 performance. In a letter to the agency, Premier and the groups express appreciation for CMS’ intent to improve the MSSP, but caution against finalizing modifications at a time when the healthcare industry faces uncertainty and not enough time to implement such drastic changes.

Premier applauds Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) and other members of Congress for urging House leaders to lower the alternative payment model (APM) Incentive Payment Thresholds in MACRA in the next relief package. Acting now will help boost clinicians’ participation in risk-based models. Knowing what we do about the need for a coordinated, team-based response to COVID-19, it is now more critical than ever to ensure that providers are incented to stay in Medicare APMs and that others join the movement to value-based care.