CMS has released a list of providers and payers participating in the Primary Care First payment model. Primary Care First will begin in January 2021. There are 916 primary care practices participating in the model, and 37 payers participating.
According to CMS: “Primary Care First creates a seamless continuum of care and accommodates a continuum of interested providers. The payment options test whether delivery of advanced primary care can reduce total cost of care, accommodating practices at multiple stages of readiness to assume accountability for patient outcomes. Primary Care First will focus on advanced primary care practices ready to assume financial risk in exchange for reduced administrative burdens and performance-based payments.”
“Thorough a second payment model option, Primary Care First also encourages advanced primary care practices, including providers whose clinicians are enrolled in Medicare who typically provide hospice or palliative care services, to take responsibility for high need, seriously ill beneficiaries who currently lack a primary care practitioner and/or effective care coordination—population groups referred to under the model as the Seriously Ill Population or SIP.”
“Primary Care First prioritizes patients by emphasizing the doctor-patient relationship. The model aims to improve the experience for beneficiaries by reducing administrative burdens so practitioners can spend more time with patients. CMS will prioritize patient choice in the assignment of Medicare beneficiaries to Primary Care First practices.”
The Primary Care First payment model will begin in January 2021. There are 916 primary care practices participating in the model, and 37 payers participating. The list of participating providers, payers, and more information about the payment model are available on CMS’ Primary Care First webpage.