AMGA Statement on Proposed Medicare Shared Savings Rule

Alexandria, VA – AMGA is carefully reviewing the reforms proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in yesterday’s Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) rule. AMGA appreciates the importance of balancing the time providers need to learn how to deliver care under performance or value-based arrangements with the goal of improving quality of care while decreasing spending growth over time. AMGA is reviewing this rule closely to ensure that the proposed regulatory changes maintain a balance between the time required to make necessary clinical practice and operational changes and spending reduction.

“Assuming financial risk is neither an easy nor simple decision for providers to make,” said Jerry Penso, M.D., M.B.A., AMGA president and chief executive officer. “However, AMGA’s members recognize the future of health care requires movement away from fee-for-service reimbursement to value-based arrangements and they are leading this charge. Our members continue to work toward new models of increased accountability for the quality and cost of the care they deliver. It is important that when this rule is finalized, it enables them to achieve these goals.”

The proposed rule addresses changes to MSSP track selection, establishing, resetting, and updating financial benchmarks, risk adjustment, beneficiary assignment and incentives, and payment waivers. CMS is proposing to allow ACOs more flexibility in choosing prospective beneficiary assignment, which AMGA has long supported.

CMS also is proposing a lengthier agreement period of at least five years, which AMGA also has supported. AMGA also supports CMS’ proposal to improve risk adjustment for continuously enrolled beneficiaries and looks forward to commenting on how ACOs can collaborate with standalone Part D plans.

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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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