MGMA outlines priorities in letter to new CMS Administrator

In a welcome letter to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), MGMA outlined a number of priorities it is eager to work with the agency on that will deliver high-quality, cost effective care, and help reduce regulatory burden on medical practices. The letter includes the following recommendations:

• Include Medicare Advantage plans in the scope of CMS' interoperability and prior authorization rule;
• Allow permanent coverage of audio-only services;
• Support the development of new, voluntary alternative payment models (APMs); and
• Provide transparency regarding MIPS cost category.

MGMA provides recommendations on APM development

MGMA joined the American Medical Association and 40 other healthcare organizations in providing recommendations on APM development to the new Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). In the letter, the provider community recommends improving the way CMMI designs and implements APMs to increase transparency, reduce health inequities, and provide up-front funding to participants to facilitate successful APM implementation. Additionally, the letter recommends engaging the physician community in the development of APMs to create alignment in priorities, dedicating funds to physician-developed APMs, and providing feedback and data to physician organizations seeking to collaborate in this process.

President’s proposed budget gives HHS significant bump

Last Friday, President Biden released his $6 trillion fiscal year 2022 budget request, which included notable increases to the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. President Biden also requested a 23% funding increase for the Department of Health and Human Services. Presidential budget requests do not have the force of law and are intended to display the Administration’s priorities, while Congress negotiates the budget.