House holds hearing on implementing MACRA APMs

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee today held a hearing on implementing alternative payment models for physicians and other clinicians under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. In a statement submitted for the hearing, AHA urged Congress to continue working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide greater opportunity for clinicians to participate in advanced APMs, one of two payment tracks for clinicians under MACRA’s Quality Payment Program. “In addition, we urge Congress to consider changes to the fraud and abuse laws to allow hospitals and physicians to work together to achieve the important goals of new payment models – improving quality, outcomes and efficiency in the delivery of patient care,” AHA said. “Finally, opportunities remain to improve fairness and reduce burden under the [Merit-based Incentive Payment System, the other QPP payment track].” Witnesses at the hearing included Daniel Varga, M.D., chief clinical officer for Texas Health Resources.