The Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Federally Qualified Health Center Advanced Primary Care Practice demonstration project, an Affordable Care Act initiative that will pay an estimated $42 million over three years to as many as 500 health centers to coordinate care for Medicare patients.
The project, operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in partnership with the Health Resources Services Administration, will test the effectiveness of doctors and other health professionals working in teams to improve care for as many as 195,000 Medicare patients. This initiative is part of a broader effort by President Barack Obama's administration to improve care and lower costs.
“FQHCs provide essential primary care services to seniors and others in underserved communities,” said CMS Administrator Donald Berwick. “This project will go a long way toward creating comprehensive and coordinated healthcare opportunities for the many people with Medicare who rely on FQHCs as their primary medical providers.”
The demonstration will be designed to show how the patient-centered medical home model can improve quality of care, promote better health and lower costs. Participating FQHCs are expected to achieve Level 3 PCMH recognition, help patients manage chronic conditions and actively coordinate care for patients.
Participating health centers will be paid a monthly care management fee for each eligible Medicare beneficiary receiving primary care services. In return, they'll agree to adopt care coordination practices that are recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. CMS and HRSA will provide technical assistance.
“The transformation to a patient-centered medical home is designed to improve the coordination of care for Medicare beneficiaries by helping doctors and other health professionals work in teams,” said Mary Wakefield, HRSA's administrator. “FQHCs in this project can increase access to important primary care services and thus reduce the need for costly hospitalizations or emergency department visits.”
Another project, the Partnership for Patients, is bringing together healthcare providers and other key stakeholders committed to keeping patients from getting injured or sicker in the healthcare system and improving transitions between care settings. CMS will invest up to $1 billion to help drive these changes.
Also, CMS has proposed rules to allow Medicare to pay new accountable care organizations to improve coordination of patient care.
FQHCs that have provided medical services to at least 200 Medicare beneficiaries in the previous 12-month period will be invited by letter to apply to participate in the demonstration. Applications for the project will be accepted through Aug. 12, 2011, and the demonstration will be conducted from Sept.1, 2011, through Aug. 31, 2014.
Details about the demonstration and the application process can be found on the CMS website and linking to the demonstration web page or by visiting the CMS Innovation Center website.
Questions about the CMS demonstration should be directed to: fqhc_med_home@cms.hhs.gov.