AHA Comments on CMS Proposal to Test Direct Provider Contracting Models

Responding today to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services request for information on a proposal to create and test one or more direct provider contracting models through Medicare contracts with primary care practices, AHA said it supports the development of models that improve beneficiaries’ access to care and providers’ ability to provide high-quality care that best meets their patients’ needs. “However, the lack of detail included in the RFI makes it difficult for providers to conduct well-informed analyses in response to the questions CMS posed,” AHA wrote. "Accordingly, we urge CMS to develop the model as transparently as possible so that potential participants can make fully informed decisions about participation. More specifically, we recommend CMS consider our stakeholder feedback and continue to release additional information about its plans for a potential DPC model.”