CMS innovation center to end CPC+ alternative payment model for all participants this year

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced last week that it will end the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model on Dec. 31 for all participants, regardless of start date. The model was previously scheduled to end this year for participants who joined in 2017, but not until a year later for those who joined in 2018. While practices that started in 2017 will have participated for the full five years, the model will end early for approximately 150 practices who joined in 2018.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has voiced concerns about this and continues to advocate expanding CMMI’s portfolio to include a suite of value-based payment options that allow family medicine practices to move away from fee-for-service payments to sustainable alternative payment models (APMs).

Currently, the only options for CPC+ practices that will allow them to remain in a Medicare APM after the program ends are to apply for the Primary Care First program or join an accountable care organization (ACO), if they haven't already. Primary Care First is currently accepting applications for the second cohort through May 21. More information, including the Request for Applications, can be found on the CMMI Primary Care First webpage. The AAFP also has tools and resources available to assess practice readiness and the financial impact of participating in the Primary Care First model, available on the AAFP Primary Care First webpage.

— Kate Freeman, Care Delivery and Payment Strategist at the AAFP