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With the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model ending for all model participants on December 31, 2021, practices are thinking about what’s next.

Primary Care First (PCF) is a primary care initiative announced by CMS in April 2019 to accelerate innovation in the delivery of advanced primary care. The model builds on the underlying principles of CPC+ and serves as an opportunity for practices to prioritize the clinician-patient relationship with flexible care options and increase revenue through performance-based payments. CMS issued a Cohort 2 Request for Applications and extended the application deadline for practices to May 21, 2021.

If you are considering participating the Primary Care First model, you are no doubt considering the following:

  • Does the PCF Model make sense for our practice(s)?
  • How will PCF be different from and similar to CPC+?
  • What financial considerations should I be weighing in this decision?
  • Do we have the infrastructure needed to meet performance outcomes?
  • What data do we have that can inform our decision to apply?
  • How are adjustments calculated?
  • What risk group is our practice likely to be in and what does that mean for our payment?
  • What are priority areas that I can influence to support success in PCF?
     

There are many considerations to weigh in deciding to participate in a new payment model.

We welcome your use of HealthTeamWorks revenue comparison calculator as one tool to assist in exploring the right path for your practice(s). The ultimate decision to participate in PCF should be made by your practice based on multiple variables. We are here to help and offer a brief walk-through and discussion about using your data to explore if application to the PCF Model is right for your practice. 

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While we believe value-based payment better aligns with the delivery of high-quality care, we encourage practices to establish an overarching strategy for transitioning to value-based care and payment unique to your circumstances… including your timeline, goals, return and value on investment, culture of learning and continuous improvement, population health infrastructure, workforce development plan, and risk readiness.

Knowing direct practice support will not be provided as part of participation in the model, practices may decide to seek coaching and facilitation or advice and guidance. HealthTeamWorks is well-positioned to provide PCF support with flexible design options.

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Contact us at solutions@healthteamworks.org if you would like to schedule a complementary walk through of the revenue comparison calculator, or if you would like to discuss contracting options for direct support in this and other alternative payment models.


Sources:

CMS Innovation, Primary Care First Model Options, https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/primary-care-first-model-options

CMS Innovation, Primary Care First Model Options, Cohort 1 Payment and Attribution Methodologies PY 2021, Cohort 1 Payment and Attribution Methodologies PY 2021 (PDF)

CMS Innovation, Primary Care First Model Options, Request for Applications, https://innovation.cms.gov/media/document/pcf-cohort2-rfa

CMS Innovation, Primary Care First Model Options, Get Started Guide, https://innovation.cms.gov/media/document/pcf-cohort2-getstartedguide

 

 

Blog

Published:
May 12th, 2021