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JOIN NAACOS’ ADVOCACY UPDATE CALL NEXT WEEK
Want to know what’s happening in Washington? Join the NAACOS team for our first quarter update on congressional and administrative activity in health care from 2:00 – 2:45 pm ET on March 25. We will touch on key topics, including recent CMMI announcements, the government funding bill, and NAACOS priorities for advocacy. This call is open to all NAACOS members and partners. Register Now. |
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Welcome New Partners |
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• • •Congressional Updates |
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GOVT FUNDING BILL LEAVES OUT DOC PAY AND AAPM INCENTIVES
Last week, President Trump signed a continuing resolution that extends government funding and expiring Medicare extenders through September 30. The agreement includes a temporary extension of Medicare’s current telehealth waivers, the hospital at home program, and other expiring Medicare/ Medicaid programs.
While NAACOS is disappointed that the continuing resolution did not include an extension of Medicare’s advanced alternative payment model (AAPM) incentives, address APM qualifying thresholds, or provide relief from physician payment cuts that began on January 1, we are continuing to work with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to look for opportunities to move these policies forward this calendar year. The House and Senate are in recess this week. When lawmakers reconvene next week they will shift their attention back to a comprehensive budget reconciliation bill, which includes extending President Trump’s tax cuts and advancing other significant policy goals. To balance the cost of tax extensions, Congress must identify $2 trillion in spending cuts, including $880 billion within the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid programs.
How can you help? Members of Congress need to hear about how these issues are affecting providers in their states. NAACOS and our partners in the Alliance for Value-Based Patient Care developed a priorities document to share with congressional staff asking them to support an extension of Medicare’s advanced APM incentives and stop physician payment cuts. Please contact Robert Daley for assistance with reaching out to your members of Congress.
| SENATE CONTINUES TO ADVANCE TRUMP HEALTH NOMINEES
The Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing last week to consider the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In his testimony, Dr. Oz outlined his key priorities for CMS which include: (1) increasing transparency, (2) optimizing patient care and enhancing workflows through innovation, and (3) reducing improper payments. Dr. Oz highlighted support for reforming pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and addressing issues with upcoding and prior authorizations in Medicare Advantage (MA). The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) also voted last week to advance President Trump’s nominees for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Expect to see these nominees confirmed by the Senate in the coming weeks.
| HOUSE LAWMAKERS LAUNCH NEW DEMOCRATIC DOCTORS CAUCUS
Democratic physicians serving in Congress formally announced the launch of a Congressional Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow members with insights into critical health issues. The caucus will serve as a Democratic alternative to the long-standing House Republican Doctors Caucus, which has been a primary voice in Congress on health issues affecting patients and providers.
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• • • NAACOS Career Center: Post Today |
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Find Qualified Candidates
The NAACOS Career Center is an important source for career advancement within the community of accountable care organizations. This growing online resource offers job seekers access to professional opportunities and provides employers a place to advertise position openings. |
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Administration Updates |
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CMS ANNOUNCES CMMI MODELS TO END EARLY
Following a review of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) model portfolio based on the statutory mandate to produce savings, CMS announced the early termination of four models:
Additionally, CMMI will explore options to reduce the size of the Integrated Care for Kids Model and will not pursue two previously announced models that have not yet been implemented: Medicare $2 Drug List and Accelerating Clinical Evidence.
While CMMI’s primary care models have not independently generated savings, evaluations have shown they achieve savings when paired with a total cost of care model. NAACOS is advocating for CMS to have a second application cycle for the ACO Primary Care Flex Model and expand eligibility to all MSSP providers. This will provide practices in MCP and PCF a pathway for maintaining the same care transformation and payment approaches within a total cost of care model.
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MSSP APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2026 START NOW AVAILABLE
CMS published deadlines for Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) applications and change cycle requests for Performance Year 2026. Phase 1 of the application cycle will be open from May 29–June 12 at 12:00 pm ET. ACOs that are applying as new, renewing, early renewing, or re-entering ACOs for a start date of January 1, 2026, must apply within this time window. Application guidance and sample applications are available on the Application Toolkit & Change Request Cycle Resources webpage.
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My Choice Quality Care Network, San Diego CA |
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Education Opportunities |
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HEAR FROM VALUE-BASED CARE EXPERTS AT SPRING CONFERENCE
Leaders from ACOs and other VBC organizations will gather at the NAACOS Spring Conference on April 22-24 in Baltimore to cut through the noise and get straight to the industry trends that matter most. Hear directly from industry experts shaping the future of accountable care. Connect with more than 600 colleagues to explore how they’re navigating today’s challenges and opportunities. This is your chance to gain the critical insights needed to drive success in 2025 and beyond. Highlights to include:
The opening plenary will feature our new CEO, Emily Brower, sharing the state of ACOs followed by a payer discussion with a reactor panel. Day One will offer a Networking Lunch where attendees can connect, discuss strategies and share ideas. Held on the morning of Day Two, our CMS Townhall is a way for our attendees to pose questions and receive answers directly from CMS officials. The conference will conclude with the Outlook for VBC: Policy and Politics.
FULL AGENDA
Registration is open and will remain open until the conference. Can’t attend in person? Register for the live webcast. As always, the entire conference will be recorded. All participants, both in-person and virtual, will be able to view any sessions they missed live for six months following the conference.
| UPCOMING WEBINAR ON CONTRACTING WITH CBOS
Many value-based care providers contract with community-based organizations (CBOs) or community care hubs (CCHs) to address patients’ health related social needs and advance population health goals. NAACOS is collaborating with the Partnership to Align Social Care to discuss sustainable approaches to financing partnerships between value-based care providers and community organizations. Register for this webinar on April 3 from 3:00-4:00 pm ET to learn about designing financial contracts that enable sustainable, scalable partnerships. You may submit questions for speakers in advance by emailing Alyssa Neumann.
| PARTNERS! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR TODAY’S PARTNER CALL
Join us today, Thursday, March 20, from 12:30–1:30 pm ET for a chance to meet new NAACOS CEO, Emily Brower, and to get updates on the upcoming Spring Conference! Find out about available promotions as well as tips and tricks to make the most of your time onsite. You’ll also hear about other educational events and advocacy updates. Don’t miss this chance to connect with NAACOS. This meeting is open to Partners only. Register today!
| ICYMI: RECENT NAACOS WEBINARS
NAACOS webinars for members and business partners are available on webinars archives page. If you were unable to join the live events, be sure to check out the recordings:
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• • •What We’re Watching:
News About ACOs and Health Care |
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The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its annual March Report that includes payment recommendations for Payment Year 2026. The report recommends updating physician reimbursement by the Medicare economic index minus 1 percent, updating hospital pay by 1 percent, and making reductions to other fee schedules (skilled nursing, home health, inpatient rehab).
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