Newswise — The American Academy of Home Care Medicine (AAHCM) strongly supports the CMS announcement today of the Primary Cares Initiative, which offers two new payment paths to promote primary care of Medicare patients with complex, advanced illness. “The Primary Cares Initiative offers upfront payment incentives to serve Medicare populations with complex medical and social needs. The two options, Primary Care First (PCF) and Direct Contracting (DC), offer enhanced payment for Home-Based Primary Care and other providers to care for people with advanced illness,” said Eric De Jonge, MD, President, AAHCM.

The Academy, along with others, has worked with CMMI for the past year to support development of this new primary care payment model, with a focus on relevant quality measures for people with advanced illness and on the use of outcome-based payment methods. Many core principles of the highly successful Independence at Home (IAH) Demonstration are included in Primary Care First. “Home care medicine providers and policymakers have learned much from IAH, thanks to the foresight of our champions on Capitol Hill and the CMS leadership,” said Dr. De Jonge.

The Academy looks forward to working with CMMI to help a wide range of home care medicine providers and others who serve people with advanced illness participate in these new payment models, to expand access to skilled and compassionate care.

Today’s announcement illustrates CMMI’s collaborative approach to developing new payment models and their willingness to incorporate feedback. The Academy appreciates CMMI’s recognition of the essential role of primary care for the seriously ill and looks forward to learning more details about the models. “We thank our partners – HCCI, USMM, Centene, Aspire, Landmark, John A. Hartford Foundation, and all the provider organizations around the U.S. who have helped make this possible.”

www.aahcm.org

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The American Academy of Home Care Medicine has been serving the needs of thousands of home care medicine professionals since 1987. Our members include home care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who make house calls, care for homebound patients, act as home health agency and hospice medical directors, and refer patients to home care agencies; home care organizations; medical directors of managed care plans; and administrators of medical groups interested in home care. Their specialties include internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. The Academy delivers on the promise of interdisciplinary, high-value health care in the home for all people in need by promoting the art, science, and practice of home care medicine.