APG Applauds CMMI for Opening Direct Contracting Model to Next Generation ACOs

Washington, DC – America’s Physician Groups (APG), along with APG Direct Contracting Coalition (Coalition) members, applauds the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) for its decision to allow Next Generation ACOs to apply for the Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model for 2022.

“APG is gratified that CMMI will continue to support these valuable risk-based, Direct Contracting models by allowing Next Generation ACOs to request to join the model in the next performance year as Standard Direct Contracting Entities,” said APG President and CEO Don Crane. “These Next Generation ACOs have accumulated valuable experience and operational infrastructure that will contribute greatly to strengthening the Direct Contracting Model. Many organizations invested considerable resources to meet requirements in preparation to apply for GPDC participation in 2022 and we are glad that their investments will not be a wasted effort as GPDC receives more support from CMMI in the form of this expanded pool of applicants. The big winners are Medicare beneficiaries who will receive better quality care at lower costs.”

APG is the leading national organization that promotes and supports organizations involved in Direct Contracting models. It established the Direct Contracting Coalition to help current and potential risk-based model participants exchange information and share best practices so that they can be successful. The Coalition currently has 70 organization members.

The recent decision to reopen the GPDC Direct Contracting Model application portal ultimately benefits Medicare beneficiaries by improving healthcare quality and lowering costs. Allowing organizations to change to a value-based payment system from a fee-for-service system reduces healthcare costs, improves the patient experience, and improves the health of populations more quickly.

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About America’s Physician Groups
America’s Physician Groups is a national association representing more than 340 physician groups with approximately 195,000 physicians providing care to nearly 45 million patients. APG’s tagline, ‘Taking Responsibility for America’s Health,’ represents our members’ vision to move from the antiquated, dysfunctional fee-for-service reimbursement system to a clinically integrated, value-based healthcare system where physician groups are accountable for the coordination, cost, and quality of patient care. Visit us at www.apg.org.

 

Contact: Greg Phillips, APG Director of Communications, 202-770-1901, gphillips@apg.org