CMS announces primary care model participants

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has selected 916 primary care practices and 37 regional health plan partners to participate in the Primary Care First model beginning Jan. 1. The alternative payment model, announced last year, will test whether changing how Medicare pays for primary care can reduce avoidable hospital use and lower total cost of care while preserving or improving quality. Participating practices generally include primary care clinicians managing high need, seriously ill populations.