AMGA Urges Congress to Prioritize Value-Based Care

Calls for Medicare Stability in Letter to Congressional Leadership

Alexandria, VA – AMGA today recommended Congress ensure providers have the financial stability and regulatory flexibility necessary to meet the care needs of their patients while continuing the transition to value-based care. In a letter to Congressional leadership, AMGA urged Congress to recognize the threat to the nation’s healthcare system posed by a seemingly endless cycle of payment cuts and work to protect Medicare, its beneficiaries, and providers by implementing a stable and predictable Medicare payment and regulatory system. Although AMGA acknowledges that Congress recently prevented significant cuts to Medicare, the association calls on Congress to develop a more sustainable system so our members can continue to provide the highest quality care to their patients.  

“AMGA appreciates Congress’ recent work to provide partial relief to providers.” said AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, MD, MBA. “But, AMGA members are facing additional Medicare cuts, while at the same time grappling with increased labor and supply chain costs. These expenses and an unpredictable regulatory environment make it difficult for our members to plan and budget for the future. Congress must provide stability in the system.”

In the letter, AMGA recommends that Congress prevent cuts to Medicare reimbursement that are the result of an expected Medicare conversion factor cut as well as a potential 4% cut to the entire Medicare program due to Pay-as-You-Go budget rules. AMGA also recommends improving the pathway to value in Medicare and incentivizing value-based models of care by extending the 5% Advanced Alternative Payment Model payments.  

Regarding telehealth, AMGA urges Congress to acknowledge how the pandemic has altered care delivery by permanently waiving geographic limitations and originating site regulations, ensuring payment parity between in-office and telehealth services, continuing payment for audio-only services, and removing state licensing restrictions for telehealth services.

AMGA also recommended that Congress continue to support the Medicare Advantage program, ensure provider access to administrative claims data, and eliminate the coinsurance payment requirement for chronic care management.

The letter is available on AMGA’s website. 

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About AMGA

AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of healthcare 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. 

AMGA represents medical groups and integrated systems of care. Its diverse membership includes multispecialty medical groups, integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, and other entities committed to improving healthcare outcomes. AMGA advocates for the formation of innovative, clinically integrated systems of care that advance population health, enhance patient experience, and reduce healthcare costs. For more information, please visit www.amga.org.