CMS announces plans for new primary care payment model

This week, CMS introduced the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model, a new multi-year, multi-payer system designed to transform the delivery of primary care.

Beginning in January 2017, the new model is expected to include up to 5,000 practices and 20,000 physicians.

Participating practices will receive increased resources and support for providing care that offers better outcomes and improves patient health. Practices will participate in one of the model’s two tracks providing separate payment options, including upfront incentive payments.

“We are pleased to see this significant step toward promoting and expanding a proven primary care delivery model as the AOA continues to prepare osteopathic physicians for a payment system under MACRA, which promotes access to and payment for high-quality, coordinated patient care,” says Ray Quintero, the AOA’s senior vice president of public policy.

Currently, payers are applying to become partners in the program. CMS will select the payers and establish the regions by mid-July. Practices in these regions who wish to participate can apply from July 15 through Sept. 1.

For more details about the new plan, CMS invites members of the public to attend one of two webinars taking place from 3-4 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 19.