Allison Brennan Highlights Areas of Opportunity With Proposed MSSP Changes

Some of the proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program align with things the National Association of ACOs had been asking for, said Allison Brennan, MPP, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Association of ACOs.

Transcript

What is the greatest opportunity you see as part of CMS’ proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program?

There are a number of opportunities in the proposed Pathways to Success rule, and there are a number of things that we have been asking for, for a while. Some of examples of the opportunities include increased program stability and predictability through longer agreement periods. We’re also seeing an effort to reduce quality reporting burdens. We’re seeing broader implementation of certain payment rule waivers and introduction of a beneficiary incentive program, which will help engage beneficiaries and make sure that they’re getting the care that they should from the providers that are appropriate.

We’re also really pleased to see some program flexibility with certain things such as how a beneficiary is assigned to an ACO, so allowing ACOs some more flexibility to pick some of those key program methodologies.