Pollack, Verma Discuss Regulatory Relief, Move to Value-Based Payment and Stark Relief on AHA Webcast

AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack yesterday hosted Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma on a special AHA Town Hall webcast focused on the current regulatory landscape and efforts that the agency is considering that could provide regulatory relief to hospitals and health systems. Among other topics, Pollack and Verma discussed moving to a value-based payment system and relief from the Stark Law.
 
“We’re committed to moving away from a fee-for-service system and moving toward a system that favors value and outcomes,” Verma said, also noting that the agency is considering the reporting challenges and their impact on providers that are associated with these changes. Click here for a 2-minute video highlight on the fee-for-value discussion.
 
Meanwhile, Pollack shared how the Stark Law “presents significant barriers to the implementation of these new innovative models that reward coordination and reward value.” Verma acknowledged these challenges, saying, "I think the Stark Law was developed a long time ago, and given where we're going in terms of modernizing [Medicare] and the payment systems we are now operating under now, we need to bring along some of those regulations.” Verma added that Congress might have to act to provide full relief from the Stark Law. Click here (https://youtu.be/vrtey7QPAYg) to watch a short video clip of the Stark Law discussion.
 
To watch of full replay of the webcast, please click here.