NAACOS LEADS LETTER TO CONGRESS TO EXTEND APM INCENTIVES
This week NAACOS led a joint letter with 22 leading health care associations and over 600 health systems, hospitals, ACOs, and physician practices asking Congress to extend Medicare’s original 5 percent inventive payment for advanced alternative payment models (APMs). These incentives are set to expire at the end of 2023 unless Congress acts. See NAACOS and Alliance for Value-Based Patient Care statements regarding the letter.
HOUSE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON PROVIDER ISSUES AND APMS
On October 19, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee kicked off a legislative hearing to discuss legislative options to address different Medicare provider issues. While NAACOS is encouraged that the subcommittee is discussing a draft bill that would extend Medicare’s current 3.5 percent incentive for one year and extend the qualifying threshold freeze, we are concerned that the proposal also includes a retroactively applied five-year participation cap that will result in the majority of ACOs no longer qualifying for incentives.
NAACOS submitted a statement for the record calling on lawmakers to instead extend the APM incentive for all eligible clinicians and develop a longer-term plan for reforming the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act’s (MACRA’s) misaligned incentive structure. We feel that the committee’s proposal falls short and creates several unintended consequences, including:
- Slowing the transition to value-based care models that take on financial risk,
- Disproportionately impacting patient access to care,
- Creating an exodus of specialists who currently participate in APMs, and
- Encouraging greater consolidation in health care markets.
We encourage you to contact your congressional delegations and share this message and how this policy change would impact your ACO. Please contact Robert Daley for additional information or staff contact information.
NAACOS SUBMITS ACCOUNTABLE CARE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS
The House Committee on Ways and Means and House Committee on Budget recently issued requests for information seeking feedback on how to improve access to health care and lower costs.
- Ways and Means. NAACOS responded to the Ways and Means Committee outlining ways that the committee can improve access to ACOs in rural and underserved communities.
- Budget Committees. NAACOS responded to a House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force request by outlining legislative and regulatory solutions that will improve access to care and lower costs. NAACOS also submitted these comments as a statement for the record at a Senate Budget Committee on improving care, lowering costs, and achieving health care efficiency.
NAACOS IS HIRING!
We are seeking a Senior Director of Payer Policy to develop and implement approaches to support members in accountable care arrangements across payers. The role will be responsible for identifying policy and operational solutions to encourage adoption, growth, and success in value-based arrangements in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and direct to employer. Please spread the word on LinkedIn and encourage any strong candidates to submit to [email protected].
ALLIANCE FOR VALUE-BASED PATIENT CARE UPDATES
The Alliance for Value-Based Patient Care, of which NAACOS is a founding partner, aims to bolster and sustain support for value-based care. As part of our efforts, we highlight patient and provider stories that demonstrate how value is working. Please submit stories from your organizations to help bolster this effort. We are also happy to schedule a call to capture your stories. Contact David Pittman for more information. Follow the Alliance on LinkedIn and X.
NEXT ACO REACH LEARNING DISCUSSION
Join NAACOS for its next ACO REACH Learning Discussion on October 20 at 12:00 pm ET. This month we’ll go deep into voluntary alignment, how to make the most of it, and what ACOs should and could be doing. These monthly calls offer a chance to connect with peers about important topics related to the model. If you’re interested and not already signed up, you can register now.
CMS UPDATES QPP RESOURCES
CMS has posted updated resources in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource Library, including updates to the APM Performance Pathway (APP) Toolkit. This toolkit includes fact sheets and other guidance to assist ACOs reporting quality and describes the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) quality requirements for ACOs. CMS expects to release additional details regarding data completeness expectations for ACOs reporting quality via electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) and MIPS CQMs in the near future. MIPS ANNOUNCES DATA VALIDATION AND AUDITS TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER
MIPS has contracted with Guidehouse to conduct data validation and audits (DVAs) of MIPS eligible clinicians and groups starting in November 2023 through March 2024 for Performance Year (PY) 2022 MIPS data. NAACOS has reached out to CMS to inquire how and if ACOs will be included in these data validation and audits. If selected for a MIPS DVA, an email will be sent to the security official in your Health Care Quality Information Systems Access, Roles and Profile (HARP) account. Emails will be sent from Guidehouse ([email protected]).
REGISTRATION FOR 2024 BOOT CAMPS IS NOW OPEN
Join us February 8-9 at the Marriott Orlando Lakeside for our 2024 Boot Camps: one focusing on data and analytics sponsored by Wakely and a second on best practices for clinical operations held concurrently, sponsored by Brilliant Care and iRhythm. Boot camps will be held concurrently, and participants must register for one boot camp and may attend only that one. Daily lunches and a reception will be held jointly so that attendees at both boot camps may benefit from increased networking opportunities.
Registration Rates:
ACO Member – $1,195 per person
ACO Non-Member – $1,495 per person
ACO Member Group Rate – $5,000 for up to 5 individuals **This boot camp will only be offered for in-person participation. There will be no virtual option. Boot camps are not open to business partners. Space is limited to 100 people per boot camp.**
Register NOW!
AWV LEARNING LAB KICKS OFF TODAY
Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) are an ongoing opportunity for ACOs to engage participants, plan their care, and increase quality scores in the process. Beginning October 19, we will hold monthly AWV Learning Lab sessions on the third Thursday of each month from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm ET for six sessions. At today’s meeting, Carrie Sevarns, senior population health manager, and Mandy Barber, clinical coding specialist, at Signify Health will review AWVs, including an overview of the types, minimum components of the visit, patient benefits, and guidance on general coding and billing. November’s meeting will focus on structuring electronic health records (EHR) for successful documentation for billing requirements and care planning with Kevin McNeill, M.D., associate medical director, Lehigh Valley Health Network ACO, presenting. Register now to join the AWV Learning Labs.
JOIN NAACOS’ WEBINAR ON MAKING CARE PRIMARY MODEL
Join NAACOS on October 24 at 2:00 pm ET for an informative webinar discussing the CMS Innovation Center’s latest primary care model, Making Care Primary (MCP). The MCP application portal is open now through November 30 for eligible practices in participating states. Importantly, the model is intended to attract new entrants to value-based care with three progressive tracks advancing care delivery and payment reform. Concurrent participation in a Medicare ACO program is prohibited. In this webinar, we will discuss the model’s details and its implications for the move to accountable care. Register today!
FINAL TWO DATES FOR MEDICAID LEARNING LAB
If you are interested in Medicaid topics, two meetings remain before the Medicaid Learning Lab concludes. If you have not already signed up, you can register for the final two sessions. The November 3rd Medicaid Learning Lab presenter is Rita Landgraf, professor of practice and distinguished health and social services administrator in residence, University of Delaware College of Health Sciences. Rita will present “Transformation of Health and the Healthcare System from Policy Translated into Practice,” which will be an interactive session exploring the past, current focus, and future challenges and benefits. In addition, the session will explore how the public funded system via Medicaid can advance equity in health beyond a traditional clinical care approach. Items of interest for this forum include Medicaid contracting with states or MCOs, population health management services, patient engagement, provider engagement and service best practices including primary care and specialty provider collaboration with hospitals, post-acute and community services to support population health and social determinants of health care needs. Art Jones, MD, who was one of the founders of Medical Home Network (MHN) ACO and continues to serve as its Chief Medical Officer, will present on December 1 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET. You won’t want to miss these final sessions, so sign-up today!
VIRTUAL AFFINITY GROUPS TO BEGIN OCTOBER 31
The next round of virtual affinity group meetings begins later this month, and a new group focused on compliance and legal topics has been added. If you have not signed up to attend one or more of the virtual affinity group sessions, you can do so by clicking on the link associated with each group you would like to attend. These virtual sessions are currently held three times between conferences with the dates noted below. Once you sign up, please add the Zoom link to your calendar on the corresponding dates and times for each group.
Operations Affinity Group
October 31 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are managers and others who oversee day-to-day aspects of running an ACO such as building provider networks, engaging patients, practice transformation, and implementing projects to achieve the ACO’s financial and strategic goals, etc.
Sign up for the Operations Affinity Group.
Quality Affinity Group
November 7 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are managers and others who implement initiatives designed to improve, measure, and report the quality of care in an ACO, etc.
Sign up for the Quality Affinity Group.
Data and Analytics Affinity Group
November 14 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are managers within ACOs who are responsible for integration, using data to analyze performance, creating and integrating data from sources like EMRs, claims and registries, etc.
Sign up for the Data and Analytics Affinity Group.
CMO and Clinical Affinity Group
November 28 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are CMOs, CNOs, population health officers, and others who manage patient care, and clinical care redesign, etc.
Sign up for the Clinical Affinity Group.
Compliance and Legal Group
December 5 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are ACO leaders and staff members who deal with compliance documentation, operations, or events, as well as those who deal with ACO contracting with payers and participants.
Sign up for the Compliance and Legal Group
Executive Affinity Group
December 12 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET
Participants are CEOs, CFOs, executive directors, Chief Value Officers, and others who oversee the ACO’s finances, budget, strategy, contracting, etc.
Sign up for the Executive Affinity Group.
UPCOMING PARTNER-SPONSORED WEBINARS
Navigating the Data Deluge: Transforming Chaos into Order for ACOs—Sponsored by Databridge
Learn how ACOs can tame the data deluge, transform it into a powerful resource, and improve patient care. Explore data integration, real-world success stories, and strategies to drive data-driven decision-making. Join us for insights that can revolutionize value-based care and enhance patient outcomes.
Speakers: Chris Valerian, CEO, Integrity Health, and Dave Magnan, Founder and CEO, Databridge
Date / Time: October 25 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET
Register Now!
Unlock Your Interoperability and Population Health Initiatives before the 2025 eCQM Deadline—Sponsored by MRO
Join us for a unique opportunity to discover how Lifepoint Health leverages clinical data for ACO and population health goals. Learn how they excel in value-based care contracts and HEDIS compliance, staying ahead of CMS requirements and prioritizing interoperability and population health initiatives.
Speakers: Carol Ann Hudson, RN, AVP, clinical and quality operations, population health, Lifepoint Health, and Bhushan Kadu, senior delivery manager, ACO Performance Pathway with MRO
Date / Time: October 31 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET
Register Now!
CALL FOR MEMBERS TO SPEAK AT NAACOS EVENTS
Make an impact on ACOs by sharing your expertise at NAACOS events (Spring and Fall Conference, webinars, boot camps, or any NAACOS event). Who should apply? ACO members who are thought leaders, subject matter experts, and others that are eager to share their insights. Your knowledge drives progress in accountable care. Your voice fuels our mission. Become a Volunteer Speaker and shape the future with us!
NAACOS MEETING OF ACO MEMBERS
Join us for our annual members’ meeting on November 15 from 2:00–3:00 pm ET. Gain insights into the past year and shape our plans for next year. Expect reports on ACO policy, advocacy, education, and strategic direction. Exclusive to ACO member employees. Your active participation is highly encouraged.
Register Now!
NAACOS QUARTERLY PARTNER CALL
Join us on December 7 at 11:00 a.m. ET for an engaging and informative call for NAACOS Business Partners, where you’ll gain valuable insights and updates on our latest initiatives. Connect with fellow partners, industry experts, and our dedicated team to explore collaboration opportunities and stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss this chance to maximize the benefits of your partnership and shape the future together. Register today! This meeting is only open to Partners.
Register Now!
NAACOS MEMBER SURVEY: YOUR VOICE, YOUR IMPACT
ACO Members: check your inbox for an exclusive invite to participate in the 2023 ACO Member Survey. Complete this survey and be a part of shaping the future of our organization. Your insights are invaluable in helping us serve you better.
| WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: NEWS ABOUT ACOS AND HEALTH CARE |
- On October 5, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held a meeting where the commissioners discussed Medicare’s physician payment rates, including options for restructuring the advanced APM bonus in the future. The commission is expected to include a chapter in its June 2024 report to congress.
- CMS leaders in NEJM Catalyst updated their vision on the CMS Innovation Center’s work.
- In separate Health Affairs Forefront posts, accountable care thought leaders opined about chronic care management and making models more meaningful for patients.
- On October 6, CMS updated its Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool based on the second snapshot of APM data. The second snapshot includes data from Medicare Part B claims with dates of service between January 1 and June 30, 2023.
- On October 30, the Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network (LAN) is hosting the 2023 LAN Summit, a free event that convenes health care payers, providers, patients, purchasers, and policymakers for collaborative discussions and collective action to accelerate payment reform. Virtual and in-person participation options are available, with additional sessions for those joining live in Washington, D.C.
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