09 Oct Statement on HHS Regulatory Reforms to Stark and Anti-Kickback Statute

Statement by Jeff Micklos, Executive Director, Health Care Transformation Task Force

“We commend HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan for their efforts to modernize the Anti-Kickback Statute and Physician Self-Referral regulations to support value-based payment and care delivery. The financial incentives associated with value-based models are not driven by volume of services but by efficiency and effectiveness of care. The old paradigm supporting these regulations is outdated for value-based models, so we support a new approach that encourages broader adoption of these new models.

The Task Force has long recommended that a core set of fraud and abuse waivers be established and made available for CMS Innovation Center model participants to allow for greater care coordination within alternative payment models. The proposals announced today incorporate many of the Task Force’s recommendations and reaffirm HHS’s commitment to the work of the Innovation Center and to private-sector innovations that drive better health outcomes at a lower cost.

We look forward to reviewing the provisions in greater detail and providing comprehensive feedback in response to the proposed rules.”

About the Health Care Transformation Task Force

Health Care Transformation Task Force is a unique collaboration of patients, payers, providers and purchasers working to lead a sweeping transformation of the health care system. By transitioning to value-based models that support better health, better care and lower costs, the Task Force is committed to accelerating the transformation to value in health care.