Better Medicare Alliance Statement on Final MACRA/QPP RULE
Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the Final 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP)
Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the Final 2018 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP) issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as it pertains to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA):
“Better Medicare Alliance is very pleased that the MACRA Final Rule released today recognized the considerable role of Medicare Advantage – now comprising one third of Medicare enrollees – in accelerating value-based provider contracting. The Rule is positive acknowledgement that providers under qualified value-based contracts be accepted as an advanced Alternative Payment Model (APMs) under MACRA..
“Better Medicare Alliance, along with other stakeholders actively encouraged CMS to include patients under qualified Medicare Advantage contracts to enable physicians to meet MACRA thresholds for advanced payment models in order to advance the move to value-based care and to enable more fully integrate patient populations in alternative payments models.
“We are pleased to see CMS move forward in the Final Rule to establish a demonstration program in 2018 to test allowing innovative payment arrangements between clinicians and Medicare Advantage plans to qualify as an Advanced APM.
“We also applaud CMS for finalizing a number of policies aimed at easing the burden of reporting on payment arrangements for determination of arrangements that meet the Advanced APM criteria. We anticipate working with CMS to execute the demonstration as a part of an effort to create a level playing field for Medicare Advantage and ensure beneficiary access to the quality coverage and care.
“Medicare Advantage has long led the way to move providers from a fee-for-service system towards value-driven care and continues to be a model in modern health care.
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Please read BMA’s letter to CMS in response to feedback request on MACRA