ASA Submits Comments on Draft Criteria for Physician-Focused Payment Models

On October 10, ASA submitted comments to the Physician-Focused Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) regarding the committee’s draft criteria for evaluating and proposing alternative payment models under MACRA.  ASA’s comments supported changes to several criteria that could aid ASA member participation in future payment models.  The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) established two payment pathways for clinicians in the Medicare Part B program: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs). Physicians that participate in certain APM would be eligible for an annual 5% lump sum positive payment adjustment. MACRA created the PTAC to receive and review proposals for APMs and to make recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.