Practices, payers can apply to join primary care model in 2022

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today released a request for applications for practices and payers to participate in the Primary Care First Model beginning in January 2022.

Currently, 847 primary care practices and 14 regional health plan partners are participating in the alternative care model, which began Jan. 1. The six-year model tests whether changing how Medicare pays for primary care can reduce avoidable hospital use and lower total cost of care while preserving or improving quality.

Participating practices generally include primary care clinicians managing high need, seriously ill populations. Practices may apply through April 30 and payers through May 28 to participate beginning in 2022. CMS will host three webinars this month to review the model options and application process.

For more information, visit the model website.