Society Backed APMs Move Forward After PTAC Vote

April 5, 2018
Policy Snapshot

Several Society supported Advanced Payment Models (APMs) moved forward to the Secretary for implementation after the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) met March 26-27 to review four proposed payment models. A vote by PTAC results in one of the following decisions directed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

  • Not recommended;
  • Recommended for limited-scale testing;
  • Recommended for implementation; or
  • Recommended for implementation as a high priority.

At the recent meeting, PTAC recommended two models for implementation and two models for limited-scale testing.

It is important to note that CMS will make the final decision on which models to implement. A detailed response to the PTAC recommendations will be posted on the CMS website. Models approved by CMS will be implemented by the Innovation Center. PTAC is next scheduled to meet June 14-15, 2018. 

The Society has submitted comments asking CMS to implement more Advanced APMs that PALTC clinicians can participate in. Participating in one of the Advanced APMs avoids having to participate in the Merit-Incentive Payment Based System (MIPS). The Society believes these proposals provide an important pathway toward designing models that improve patient care and allow PALTC clinicians to fulfill MACRA requirements.

PTAC is accepting public comments until April 12, 2018, on two new proposals:

Email comments should be sent to the Designated Federal Official for PTAC at PTAC@HHS.gov. Mail can be sent to PTAC c/o Angela Tejeda, ASPE, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201. 

For more information about PTAC, please visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/ptac-physician-focused-payment-model-technical-advisory-committee.