10 Sep The Task Force Provides Input to CMS on the CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule & Medicare Shared Savings Program Proposed Rule
Posted at 13:39h
in Policy Communications
The Health Care Transformation Task Force (HCTTF) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Proposed Rule, highlighting opportunities to strengthen primary care, advance accountable care, and support greater specialty participation in value-based care.
In particular, the Task Force highlighted recommendations to:
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- Increase investment in primary care: We support maintaining enhanced payment for Advanced APM participants, expanding access to advance care planning and shared medical appointments, strengthening behavioral health services, and extending telehealth flexibilities for rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. We also provide recommendations related to future prospective payments or capitated arrangements for primary care.
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- Strengthen the Medicare Shared Savings Program: We support proposals to increase shared savings for Track E ACOs, establish guardrails for the Accountable Care Prospective Trend (ACPT), improve beneficiary engagement, and reduce cost-sharing. However, are concerned that existing and proposed policies make continued participation in MSSP unsustainable over time, and we offer recommendations to CMS to retain successful ACOs by effectively addressing the ratchet effect.
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- Expand specialty care participation in value-based care: We recommend refinements to the Ambulatory Specialty Model and opportunities to better engage specialists through improved incentives, data access, performance measurement, and care integration.
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- Modernize MSSP quality reporting: We support CMS’s continued transition to digital quality measurement, while adding flexibility in reporting options and creating exemptions for small and rural practices.