CAPG and 270-plus Physician Organizations Urge CMS to Promote Alternative Payment Models in Medicare Advantage

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CAPG and 273 physician organizations sent a letter today to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Dr. Patrick Conway, calling on CMS to accelerate the movement from volume to value in America's healthcare delivery system by adopting fair and equitable incentives for physicians taking risk in Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts with health plans.

The letter describes new evidence from the American Journal of Managed Care demonstrating that alternative payment models between health plans and physicians in MA dramatically improve the quality of care for patients. The peer-reviewed research shows that patients in MA APMs had a six percent better rate of mortality than those in fee-for-service MA. Patients in MA APMs also experienced lower rates of hospitalization and inpatient stays. 

"This research is further proof of what CAPG members have known for decades: capitated downstream contracts in MA produce better quality for patients," said CAPG President and CEO Donald Crane. "For too long, policymakers have focused solely on improving care delivery in traditional Medicare only. It's time to bring the same focus and the same encouragement to care delivery in Medicare Advantage." 

The physician organizations enjoin CMS to use the Medicare Advantage Rate Notice and Call Letter to drive reforms in how MA plans pay physicians, resulting in better care for seniors. The final Medicare Advantage policy announcement is expected April 3, 2017.

View the full text of the letter here

About CAPG

CAPG is the nation's leading professional association for accountable physician groups, composed of more than 250 medical groups and independent practice associations (IPAs) across 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. CAPG members operate under a capitated, coordinated care model that is the essence of the nation's health reform movement from volume to value. Learn more at http://capg.org.

Contact:
Daryn Kobata
[email protected] 
(213) 239-5045

SOURCE CAPG

Related Links

http://www.capg.org