In comments submitted September 9th, the PCC and its Better Health – NOW partners applauded Medicare officials for constructive proposals — including new Advanced Primary Care Management services — while insisting the agency continue to evolve bolder primary care payment changes.
Citing declining access and workforce shortages, the letter urged Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to pursue “access and payment improvements within its authority, while working aggressively with the broader administration and Congress” to address broader flaws in Medicare’s Physician Fee Schedule.
Specifically, the letter
- Calls on CMS to finalize payment for APCM services with suggested improvements,
- Articulates principles for a widely available hybrid payment option, stressing the need for permanent hybrid payment options in Part B, behavioral health integration and cost-sharing relief
- Supports key Medicare Shared Savings Program proposals, including the Health Equity Benchmark Adjustment and Prepaid Shared Savings
- Praises new payment improvements for audio-only services and distant site telehealth, community health centers and rural clinics, cardiovascular care and G2211 billing alongside an Annual Wellness Visit
- Backs payment changes that support behavioral health integration safety planning interventions, interprofessional consultation and digital mental health tools.