Press Releases
October 10, 2019

BETTER MEDICARE ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON MODERNIZING ANTI-KICKBACK REGULATIONS AIMED AT INCREASING VALUE

Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General’s announcement of planned changes to the physician-self referral and anti-kickback statue regulations aimed at easing providers’ participation in value-based pay models:

“It is welcome news that HHS is proposing to modernize the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law to reduce barriers to value-based payment arrangements. Updates to these 20-year-old laws will enhance the shift to value-based care, which is increasingly important to improve care for today’s Medicare beneficiaries. Partnerships between plans, physicians, and other health care providers that allow the exchange of information, shared technology, and the availability of supportive services are essential in achieving more integrated systems of care delivery. Changes can enhance the opportunity for innovative provider relationships that can identify high-risk patients and provide timely, targeted care, and services to patients.

Medicare Advantage has become an essential driver of value-driven, high-quality care in Medicare, with an increasing use of value-based, risk-assumption payment arrangements between plans and providers. Addressing the barriers in the physician-self referral regulations with appropriate consumer and taxpayer protections will better enable providers to participate in value-based arrangements and pursue other innovative care solutions that improve health outcomes and lower costs for patients.

Recognizing that Medicare Advantage leads the way in high-quality, value-based care for Medicare beneficiaries, we look to 2020 and beyond to continue to advance such value-based models of care. BMA supports continued action by the Administration and Congress to update law and regulation to strengthen the opportunity for innovation that improves outcomes and quality of life, while protecting consumers from price increases, to meet the needs of current and future beneficiaries.

We look forward to reviewing the proposed regulation and appreciate the support for these alternative models of payment in both Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare.”

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