APG Applauds CMS’ Release of RFA for New Primary Care Model

WASHINGTON, DC— The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released today a Request for Application (RFA) for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Primary Care First Model, a new alternative payment model that offers an innovative payment structure to support the delivery of advanced primary care.  Primary Care First Model Options will be offered in 26 regions with a January 2021 start date.

“We’re very excited to see the start of this new model and commend CMMI for their work in helping advance the value movement,” said Don Crane, APG President and CEO.  “Our Federal Affairs team is digesting today’s RFA and we look forward to educating our members and others on how this new model may impact the patients and communities serve.”

Some key highlights from the Primary Care First Model:

  • The model includes six performance years with two cohorts of participating practices (one cohort in 2021; the other in 2022)
  • The majority of professional revenue is prospective population-based payment
  • Since this is a multi-payer model, payers will separately have an option to submit a non-binding statement of interest, indicating a willingness to potentially partner with both CMS and other participants
  • Neither NextGen ACOs nor CPC+ are currently eligible to participate in the model
  • Applications are not legally binding

The RFA application period opens today and ends January 22, 2020.  Applicants must register first in order to access the application portal.

CMS will also accept Primary Care First applications from individual primary care practice sites that meet eligibility requirements.

Questions about the application for Primary Care First should be directed to PrimaryCareApply@telligen.com.

Click here to download a copy of this press release.

 

About America’s Physician Groups

America’s Physician Groups is the nation’s leading professional association for accountable physician groups, composed of over 300 medical groups and independent practice associations (IPAs). America’s Physician Groups’ members operate under a capitated, coordinated care model that is the essence of the nation’s health reform movement from volume to value. Our Colloquium 2019 will be held November 11-13, 2019 in Washington, DC.  Learn more at www.apg.org.

 

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