We’re Getting Answers for You About Loan Forgiveness and CMMI Model Terminations 

The Academy is reviewing two recent changes to federal policy. 

First, the White House has issued an executive order calling for revision of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program’s eligibility requirements. Specifically, it directs the Department of Education to begin the rulemaking process. So even though the order as written could affect a significant number of family physicians participating in the PSLF program, its impacts depend on what the education department ends up proposing. The AAFP’s Government Relations team will closely monitor the rulemaking process around this order.   

It’s important to say that the Academy is ready to speak vigorously in defense of the PSLF program and other federal student debt relief that our members rely on. The PSLF program—like several similar federal programs the Academy has called on policymakers to expand—has been vital to building the primary care workforce. Some studies show that more than 40% of physicians are enrolled in it. We will keep pushing to help eliminate student debt where possible. 

Second, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation this month announced the early termination of a number of Medicare payment models, including Primary Care First and Making Care Primary. The advent of these models reflected the Academy’s advocacy and advanced the necessary transition to value-based payment. 

CMMI noted in its announcement that ending these models did not signal a retreat from support of primary care physicians, and several models for primary care physicians—including the ACO Primary Care Flex Model, ACO REACH and AHEAD—remain active. Likewise, the Academy will continue working with CMMI to secure policies that center primary care.

The AAFP’s GR and Practice Advancement teams are in touch with CMMI and Congress to ensure that our members who are participating in the affected models experience minimal disruption and have all the information they need, including how to move into a different model. We will update you as details become available.