NRACC Offers Free Participation in Medicare Shared Savings Program

Lynn-BarrThe National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC) (@ruralACOannounced that Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural hospitals with less than 100 beds and independent practices may be eligible for free participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).

NRACC anticipates many primary care providers will be moving into the new Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) program this fall. This movement will allow other providers, not participating in the CPC+ program, to move into ACO Investment Model (AIM)-funded ACOs, where practices can receive all of the benefits of the Medicare Shared Savings Program at no cost.

Interested applicants must submit a non-binding application no later than July 15, 2016. If approved by the ACO Boards of Directors, successful applicants will be notified in October and have five business days to either confirm or withdraw their application.

“Accountable Care Organizations are a great way to get the data we need to help our patients,” says Dr. Mark Hamed, Medical Director of the Greater Michigan Rural ACO, an NRACC member. “The changes we have made in our practice workflows improve care for our patients and make it easier to practice medicine the way we have always wanted.”

McKenzie Health System CEO Steve Barnett agrees, “Patient-centered care under the ACO model has been great for our community and great for the bottom line of our rural health system. Patients leave the community for care less frequently, increase their preventive care compliance and stay healthier as a result.”

CPC+ is a new primary care payment initiative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). According to NRACC Executive Director Monica Bourgeau, “CPC+ and the MSSP are two ways providers can participate in Advanced Payment Models. The MSSP greatly improves their results under MACRA. CPC+ is a Qualified Advanced Payment Model that exempts providers from MACRA and automatically earns a 5% Part B bonus. Either way providers and patients are better off.”

CONTACT:
Monica Bourgeau, MS
Executive Director
National Rural Accountable Care Consortium
www.NationalRuralACO.com
ptn@nationalruralaco.com
916.500.4777 (o)