Physicians are hoping HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, will address challenges small practices face through an updated Medicare rule, The Hill reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. Dr. Price and President Donald Trump's administration are updating the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015.
2. Physicians hope Dr. Price eases the reporting burden while also creating opportunities for physicians in advanced alternative payment models to increase participation.
3. To encourage increased participation, CMS created the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee to evaluate industry leaders' proposals. Analysts believe proposals making their way through committee will be ineligible for any 2018 changes.
4. Physicians want reporting measures eased to increase the time they spend with patients, while small practices are struggling to meet CMS' requirements.
5. CMS Chief Medical Officer Kate Goodrich, MD, said at an April 18 Health Affairs panel that any proposal will contain provisions for virtual groups, responding to physician demands
6. Healthcare leaders expect Dr. Price to extend rolled back reporting requirements in 2018, similar to what CMS did in 2017.
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