AMGA Congratulates New CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure; Offers Recommendations for Improving Medicare Rules.

Alexandria, VA – AMGA today offered detailed policy recommendations on how the Medicare program can improve patient care by supporting AMGA members’ continued transition to value-based care. In a letter to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the new Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), AMGA recommended that the agency institute reforms to several Medicare policies, including changes to Medicare telehealth policy, access to data, and reducing administrative burden. These reforms would help improve the patient experience and the health of the communities our members serve.

“AMGA congratulates Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on her confirmation to serve as CMS Administrator,” said AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, M.D., M.B.A. “As she assumes her new responsibilities, AMGA members stand ready to share their experiences and expertise in delivering the highest quality care to their patients. We look forward to working with the new Administrator and helping the agency achieve its goals.”

The policy changes AMGA endorsed stem from a recognition of how care delivery has evolved. AMGA members have invested significantly in the staff, infrastructure, and cultural changes needed to emphasize population health and care coordination. CMS can support our members by streamlining and harmonizing the portfolio of alternative payment models (APMs).  Within these APMs, flexibilities such as telehealth and beneficiary incentive programs should not be limited or restricted based on the level of financial risk. AMGA also recommend that CMS use its authority to waive the cost-sharing requirement for chronic care management services, as patient confusion surrounding the coinsurance requirements for services they do not directly see discourages our providers from either offering these services or seeking reimbursement for them.

“The package of reforms we endorsed recognize that Medicare policy does not always reflect the reality of how care is provided or how patients access treatments,” Penso added. “But, there is an opportunity here to modernize Medicare’s rules so the program supports its beneficiaries, our members, and the group practice model of care.”  

The letter is available here.

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About AMGA
 AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of health care in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of our members’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, high-value care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Grace
Chief Communications Officer
703.838.0033 ext. 393
sgrace@amga.org
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