Enhancing Provider Experiences in Medicare Advantage Value-Based Models

HCTTF developed recommendations for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to enhance provider experiences in Medicare Advantage (MA) value-based arrangements. This issue brief assesses MA investment in value-based arrangements, discusses provider experience in these models, and identifies opportunities for CMMI to promote best practices in this market.   

Because CMMI has operated a limited number of MA models, we recommend beginning with voluntary models that compare new and existing methodologies by: 

      1. Conducting “shadow tests” of new payment methodologies, including changes to risk adjustment, benchmarking, and quality measurement. CMMI should concurrently test both existing and new methodologies (e.g., shadow test) for 3 years.  
      2. Avoid mandating untested methodologies. If CMMI applies new risk adjustments to mandatory models, this could inadvertently prompt payers to withdraw from certain markets and providers to exit partnerships.  
      3. Seek opportunities to incentivize established best practices in future models and potentially build modular contract templates.

As MA continues to expand, it is essential to continue promoting MA value-based arrangements, while also improving provider experiences and patient outcomes under these programs.  

View the Policy Brief Here