AMGA Calls for Delay in Good Faith Estimate Requirements

AMGA today recommended the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) delay enforcement of Good Faith Estimate (GFE) requirements until stakeholders and regulators have developed and implemented a standardize data exchange.

Alexandria, VA – AMGA today recommended the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) delay enforcement of Good Faith Estimate (GFE) requirements until stakeholders and regulators have developed and implemented a standardize data exchange. In response to a CMS Request for Information (RFI), AMGA emphasized the importance of automating the GFE process, so patients would have access to important pricing information without unduly adding to the administrative burden providers face. Before holding providers accountable for providing GFEs, regulators should work with stakeholders to identify a standard application programming interface (API) that enables a safe, real-time GFE data exchange. Establishing a standardized API technology also would significantly alleviate the privacy concerns of transferring data for GFEs. 

“Patients understandably want details on the cost of care, but the current requirements are almost unworkable,” said AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, M.D., M.B.A. “Providers need an automated and streamlined process that gives patients the information they need, while not adding to the operational and workflow challenges that providers are already facing.”

AMGA members are fully committed to price transparency. However, the current process requires significant staff time to respond to and provide GFEs to patients. AMGA is ready to work with federal regulators to develop a secure, compliant, and efficient GFE process. Until that work is complete, CMS should delay any enforcement of the GFE requirements.

The letter is available on AMGA’s website. 

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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. For more information, visit amga.org

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Media Contact:

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