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NAACOS SUBMITS PAYMENT REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS
NAACOS participated in a roundtable discussion with Senate Finance Committee staff last week and submitted comments in response to the committee’s white paper on options for reforming the Medicare payment system. The committee is working to develop both short-term and long-term legislative proposals to stabilize physician payments, incentivize participation in alternative payment models (APMs), and improve access to chronic care management. NAACOS’ comments urged the committee to consider policies that will ensure adequate physician payment updates, ensure stronger financial incentives for clinicians in APMs compared to fee-for-service, and prepare clinicians for transitions to APMs.
REGISTER FOR THE NAACOS FALL ADVOCACY SUMMIT AND HILL DAY
NAACOS will be hosting a two-day Fall Advocacy Summit and Hill Day on September 11 and 12. The Advocacy Summit and Hill Day is an opportunity for NAACOS members to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Space for the Advocacy Summit and Hill Day is limited to the first 40 registrants (limit of two attendees per ACO), so sign up today! Registration is filling up fast and will close on July 12.
HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARING ON CMMI
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing last week with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Liz Fowler.The hearing focused on lessons learned and what can be done to improve the development and adoption of APMs.NAACOS coordinated a stakeholder letter with other organizations in the Alliance for Value-Based Patient Care providing the committee with recommendations for improving CMMI.
Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s opening remarks highlighted the success of ACOs: “Looking at CMMI’s most recent work, I am glad you are continuing to build on the Accountable Care Organization model. While joining an ACO should not be the only pathway for providers to be able to participate in value-based care, these models are among the few that have actually managed to reduce overall spending and should not be abandoned.”
MEDPAC RELEASES JUNE REPORT
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its June Report to Congress that includes considerations for reforming Medicare physician payments and extending the advanced APM bonus. MedPAC supports extending the bonus but highlights that Congress may be well served to reform it based on the amount of revenue a clinician bills through an APM, which deviates from the current method that bases the payments on all Part B revenue. The report also included chapters on provider networks and utilization in Medicare Advantage, along with an assessment of Medicare’s hospital at home program.
CAHPS SURVEY VENDOR AUTHORIZATION TOOL OPENS AUG 6
ACOs must authorize a CMS approved Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) vendor by September 11, 2024, at 8:00 pm ET. CMS will open the CAHPS for Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Survey Vendor Authorization tool on August 6. Each ACO’s Primary Authorized to Sign (ATS) contact will receive an individualized link to access the online tool from [email protected]. CMS instructs ACOs to send any questions or issues to ACO coordinators.
CMS SHARES MEDICARE CQM PATIENT LIST
CMS is now sharing quarterly lists of beneficiaries eligible for the Medicare Clinical Quality Measures (Medicare CQMs) reporting method. CMS recently shared a new video providing background information on Medicare CQMs and an in-depth discussion of the data dictionary and quarterly list of Medicare beneficiaries eligible for Medicare CQM reporting. The new video is now available in the ACO-MS Knowledge Library. For more information on quality reporting requirements for ACOs, visit our resources.
BPCIA EVALUATION SHOWS SAVINGS
CMMI recently released the results from an independent evaluation of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCIA) model, showing a reduction in payments per episode in Model Year 4 (2021). The report found that Model Year 4 participants reduced total episode payments by $930 per episode relative to the comparison group and utilization decreasing in discharges to post-acute care facilities as well as length of stay in skilled nursing facilities. The report found varied results on quality of care for readmission and mortality rates and patient experience measures for patient-reported functional status, care experience and satisfaction with care. Read the report.
NAACOS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ANOMALOUS EXPENDITURES
NAACOS continues to advocate for CMS to develop policies that will hold ACOs harmless for suspected durable medical equipment (DME) fraud. In the past week, NAACOS and other stakeholders have held several meetings with CMS to discuss our stakeholder letter on proposed solutions. We are awaiting, the release of a proposed rule that will address this issue, which is currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance and titled “Mitigating the Impact of Anomalous Increases in Billing on Medicare Shared Savings Program Financial Calculations.”
Additionally, NAACOS is aware of member concerns regarding increased expenditures for skin grafts. NAACOS submitted comments in response to the proposed local coverage determination (LCD) for “Skin Substitutes for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers.” The LCD, if finalized, would align existing LCDs across Medicare administrative contracts and develop automated edits to enforce reasonable and necessary requirements. We will continue to monitor this issue and other areas of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.
NAACOS REGIONAL ACTIVITY SURVEY: WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!
NAACOS is interested in learning how we can better support ACOs and providers in value-based care with local operational and advocacy needs. We are exploring targeted regional- or state-specific activities. Please complete this brief survey by Wednesday, July 3 to help us better understand your priorities. Our goal is to create robust activities that meet members’ specific geographic area needs.
MEMBER FORUM: UPDATE ON NAACOS STRATEGIC PLAN
Register for the upcoming Member Forum: Update on NAACOS Strategic Priorities. As the preeminent organization supporting coordinated, patient-centered, value-based care, NAACOS is committed to improving quality of care for patients. Join us on August 7, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET for an update on NAACOS strategic priorities to learn more about our vision for the future through thought leadership, education, and broadening stakeholder base. Engage with NAACOS board members and staff to share your feedback and help shape the direction of upcoming learning, education, and membership initiatives.
PRACTICE TRANSFORMATION LEARNING LAB STARTS NEXT WEEK
On June 28 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET, NAACOS will kick off the Practice Transformation Learning Lab series. These Learning Lab sessions will occur on the Fourth Friday of each month through May 2025. These 90-minute monthly sessions will include topics such as practice assessment and redesign implementation, using data and analytics in a meaningful way, patient management services, and financial needs. The June 28 session will include presentations by Tori Bratcher, director of alternative payment models and clinical integration, Trinity Health, and Brandy Golden, VP of operations development and deployment, Vytalize Health, discussing practice evaluation and readiness for value-based care risk contracting. A complete list of topics for future sessions is included on the Learning Lab webpage. You can use this link to register today to receive the link for the monthly calls beginning on June 28.
SUMMER VIRTUAL AFFINITY GROUP MEETINGS COMING
If you have not previously signed up for one or more affinity groups, below is a list of options and the dates for the next virtual meetings. If you are missing the calendar appointment but know you have signed up previously, please use the Zoom link you received in previous emails to add to your calendar. You will use the same link you received for a previous meeting for the upcoming meetings. For example, the link for the 2024 Operations Affinity Groups will be the same link throughout the year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Karen Fetterolf at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you!
Operations
October 29 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For managers and others who oversee day-to-day aspects of running an ACO such as building provider networks, engaging patients, practice transformation, and implementing projects to achieve the ACO’s financial and strategic goals, etc.
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Executive
July 16 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
November 19 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For CEOs, CFOs, Executive Directors, Chief Value Officers, and others who oversee the ACO’s finances, budget, strategy, contracting, etc.
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Register for the Operations Affinity Group.
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Register for the Executive Affinity Group.
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Quality
June 25 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
November 5 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For managers and others who implement initiatives designed to improve, measure, and report the quality of care in an ACO, etc.
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CMO and Clinical
July 23 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
December 3 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For CMOs, CNOs, Pop Health Officers, and others who manage patient care, and clinical care redesign, etc.
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Register for the Quality Affinity Group.
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Register for the Clinical Affinity Group.
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Data and Analytics
July 9 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
November 12 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For managers within ACOs who are responsible for integration, using data to analyze performance, creating and integrating data from sources like EMRs, claims and registries, etc.
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Compliance and Legal
July 30 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
December 10 from 3:00–4:00 pm ET
For ACO leaders and staff members who deal with compliance documentation, operations, or events as well as those who deal with ACO contracting with payers and participants.
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Register for the Data and Analytics Affinity Group.
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Register for the Compliance and Legal Affinity Group.
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR TODAY’S WEBINAR
Last chance! Register for today’s partner-sponsored webinar, Reducing Hospitalizations in Dementia Patients. This webinar, sponsored by Ceresti Health, will discuss the root causes of avoidable hospitalizations for persons living with dementia and will summarize learnings from clinical studies of a caregiver enablement program that reduced patient hospitalizations and improved caregiver well-being. This event, presented by John Mach, CMO, Ceresti Health; Bart Asner, former CEO and founder, Monarch HealthCare; Dirk Soenksen, CEO, Ceresti Health; and Nicole McPherson, director of coaching services, Ceresti Health, is free for members and will be held today, Thursday, June 20, at 2:00 pm ET. Register Now!
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