WellSky’s Post

Yesterday, lawmakers released a health care funding package that includes a one-year extension of Medicare's advanced alternative payment model (APM) incentive at 1.88 percent and freezes thresholds to qualify for the incentive. The package also includes a 1.68 percent increase to #Medicare physician payment. NAACOS Statement on Extension of Value-Based Care Incentives  (Attributed to Clif Gaus, Sc.D., President and CEO of the National Association of ACOs):   "NAACOS thanks Congress for including an extension of the advanced alternative payment model (APM) incentive at 1.88 percent in the Consolidated Appropriates Act of 2024. This incentive is critical to supporting clinicians who are accountable for improving quality and lowering costs for patients. We also appreciate that Congress included a 1.68 percent increase in physician payment. These two provisions recognize that we need to ensure that clinicians are paid adequately and have strong incentives to participate in value-based care.     Clinicians in value-based care change delivery, improve care coordination, and offer patients additional services not covered by Medicare. Participation in value-based care is not where Congress intended when these incentives were created nearly a decade ago. We look forward to working with Congress to craft a long-term solution to physician payment that creates sustainability and rewards value." https://lnkd.in/g-8KffpW #valuebasedcare #healthcarepayment

In case you missed it, Congress over the weekend released details on its latest funding package. It includes several so-called "health extenders," among them were policies related to physician payment. But let's look at these numbers more closely. The package would grant a 1.88% bonus for qualifying participation in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model in 2024. This is estimated to equate to roughly $730 million. The package would also grant a 1.68% increase in the Physician Fee Schedule's conversion factor update. That too would equate to roughly $730 million. Stated differently, Congress is giving the same amount of money for value-based care incentives as it is to straight fee-for-service payments in 2024, despite the outsized attention and lobbying the latter received. That speaks volumes about how much policymakers prioritize value-based care and the need to shift our payment system to one that encourages better outcomes at lower costs.

🌟 Exciting Developments in Medicare CAHPS! 🌟 As we continue to enhance patient experience and healthcare quality, it’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role of Medicare CAHPS surveys in our strategic planning. These surveys help us gauge where we stand in patient satisfaction and pinpoint areas for improvement. 🔍 Why Focus on Medicare CAHPS? Medicare CAHPS provides invaluable feedback directly from patients, helping healthcare providers like us at [Your Organization] understand and enhance the patient experience. This feedback is essential as it directly influences our Medicare STARS ratings, which are critical for patient trust and institutional funding. 📈 Actionable Insights: We're leveraging these insights to implement targeted improvements in patient care and communication. By focusing on areas highlighted in recent surveys, such as ease of access to care and clarity of information, we're making measurable changes that matter. 🤝 Collaboration is Key: I encourage all healthcare professionals to dive deep into their CAHPS data. Let’s use this information to drive meaningful change and improve our healthcare delivery systems. Share your strategies or thoughts on how you've used CAHPS data effectively! #HealthcareImprovement #PatientExperience #MedicareCAHPS #CAHPS #QualityCare #HealthcareLeadership

Ready to excel in #ValueBasedCare? HCPLAN ACAC member, American Medical Association, has outlined seven key strategies for success in value-based care payment arrangements. From patient attribution to financial risk and benchmarking, this guide covers the topics essential for all health care professionals transitioning to value-based models. Read more: https://bit.ly/3RcBD2D

Join PYA tomorrow (7/31) as we continue our webinar series on the proposed Medicare payment rules for 2025. In Part 2, Valerie Rock, Martie Ross, and Miriam Murray will cover the following topics from the MPFS proposed rule: • 2025 payment rate reduction • Deadline for reporting overpayments • Advanced primary care management payments • Telehealth • Rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers #MPFS #ProposedRule

Great tips from Andre Psaradelis ! CareCentrix can enhance your member initiatives while supporting the highest quality care at home. #healthplans #starsratings #healthcareathome

Great informational session on Medicare!

As we gear up for the Medicare Open Enrollment Season, it's essential to stay informed about the upcoming changes. This year marks one of the most significant open enrollment seasons in Medicare's nearly 60-year history. Join us at one of Cerity Partners' information sessions on October 8th for more insights and details. At Cerity Partners, we focus on empowering our clients to understand the healthcare landscape as it plays a crucial role in someone's financial plan. #Medicare #StayInformed #CerityPartners #Healthcare

New Health Affairs article finds physician practice ACOs in the Next Generation ACO Model averaged the largest reductions in spending, reducing average beneficiary costs by $367 per year. This is consistent with the Partnership to Empower Physician-Led Care's white paper, which found consistent evidence of superior outcomes in ACO models by small and independent physician practice participants, compared to other types of ACOs. https://lnkd.in/giqvJ9u5

🚀 Breaking News: CMS Releases 2025 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule!🚀 Healthcare professionals, it's time to gear up for significant changes! The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has just released the 2025 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule, and it's packed with updates that could impact your practice's revenue cycle and patient care. What's New? 📈 Updated Payment Rates: Adjustments that could affect your bottom line. 📊 Telehealth Services: Continued expansion and what it means for remote care. 🏥 Evaluation and Management (E/M) Changes: Streamlining and clarifications for better compliance. 🌐 Quality Payment Program: Enhancements to promote value-based care. Why It Matters? These changes will shape the way you deliver care and how you get reimbursed. Understanding and preparing for these updates is crucial to stay ahead in the evolving healthcare landscape. Stay Informed! Make sure to review the proposed rule and submit your comments. Engage in the conversation to ensure your voice is heard. ♻️ Repost to help someone.  🔔 Follow the page for daily posts on HealthCare Regulatory Compliance. #CMS2025 #HealthcareUpdates #PhysicianFeeSchedule #Telehealth #ValueBasedCare #HealthcareCompliance #MedicalBilling #Medicare