CAPG Statement on CY 2016 Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CAPG, the leading U.S. trade association for physician organizations
practicing capitated, coordinated care, submitted comments to the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Medicare Part B
Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.

The Proposed Rule is the first major agency rulemaking since the
enactment of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)
last April. In addition to repealing the flawed sustainable growth rate
(SGR) formula, MACRA sets out two paths for the future of physician
payment. One option is the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS),
which maintains fee-for-service payment but ties a greater percentage of
payment to quality, efficiency, meaningful use, and clinical practice
improvement. The second is an Alternative Payment Model (APM) path.

In the Proposed Rule, CMS begins to implement this new payment system
for physicians and physician organizations in Traditional Medicare.

“Today, CAPG begins to provide guidance and feedback to CMS as the
agency implements the future of physician payment under MACRA,” said
Donald H. Crane, CAPG’s president and CEO. “The shaping of these two
paths forward will be critical to meeting the goals of transforming
Medicare from a payer for volume to a payer for value.”

In addition to its comments surrounding MACRA implementation, CAPG
submitted comments on numerous other areas, including Physician Compare,
the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and improving payment accuracy for
primary care and care management services.

The Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule is expected later
this year. CAPG is also awaiting the release of a request for
information on MACRA, anticipated to be released this fall.

View CAPG’s letter here.

About CAPG

CAPG is the leading U.S. association for and the voice of physician
organizations practicing capitated, coordinated care. The organization
comprises approximately 190 multi-specialty medical groups and
independent practice associations (IPAs) in 39 states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico. CAPG members provide comprehensive healthcare
through patient-centered, coordinated, and accountable physician group
practices. We strongly believe this model—which CAPG members have
successfully utilized for more than two decades—offers the highest
quality, the most efficient delivery mechanism, and the greatest value
for patients. For more information, please visit www.capg.org.

Contacts

CAPG
Daryn Kobata, 213-239-5045
dkobata@capg.org