Senate companion to AHA-supported MACRA incentives bill introduced 

A bipartisan group of senators  Dec. 13 introduced AHA-supported legislation that would extend the 5% Medicare payment incentives for advanced Alternative Payment Models under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, which are set to expire this year. Previously introduced in the House, the Value in Health Care Act also would give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds; remove revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers; improve APM financial benchmarks; and establish a voluntary track for accountable care organizations in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher risk, among other provisions.