CMS model seeks to increase team-based primary care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week announced a voluntary primary care model for providers in eligible accountable care organizations to treat Medicare patients using team-based care. The ACO Primary Care Flex Model will provide a one-time advanced shared savings payment and monthly prospective primary care payments to cover costs associated with forming an ACO (if relevant) and administrative costs for required model activities. CMS intends for the program to enable more people to receive coordinated, high-quality preventive care, including through virtual means. The five-year model will strive to meet patients’ medical and social needs. The program will begin on Jan. 1, 2025; CMS will select 130 ACOs to participate. Applications will be available May 20 to June 17. (CMS news release, 3/19/24)