The Primary Care Collaborative (PCC) engages in team-based advocacy around policy and practice changes that promote robust primary care to achieve the quadruple aim. Our policy strategy is focused on increased investment in primary care through alternative payment models that enable PCMHs and other types of advanced primary care to provide integrated, higher-value care that connects to the community.
Evidence demonstrates – and our Executive Members and Supporters believe – that comprehensive primary care is a high-value intervention that transforms our health care system. We work to empower patients through increased access to advanced primary care, and we support clinicians by encouraging team-based care and by empowering them to deliver the care that patients need and desire. While we engage in a variety of issues, PCC’s current policy focus is on allocating the resources needed to achieve advanced primary care and ensuring patient access to such care. More specifically:
Map provided by Milbank Memorial Fund
Slides and Recap of PCPCC's Nov 9, 2018 Workshop on Primary Care Investment
In addition to these two advocacy-related focus areas, PCC will continue to convene thought leaders, develop programming, and educate in areas core to its work of strengthening advanced primary care models, including practice-level behavioral health integration, team-based and collaborative care, and patient and family engagement.
Learn more about these efforts as they develop at www.pcpcc.org or reach out us at policy@thePCC.org.
PCC has long led the effort to transform primary care into a more integrated, team-based model – captured through the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). While these models are becoming widely adopted, they rarely have enough resources nor the flexibility in payment structure to meet the goals laid out by the Shared Principles of Primary Care. As shown in PCC’s Primary Care Innovations Map, there are exciting demonstrations, plans, and regions that are exceptions to this rule, but clinicians, on a national level, continue to struggle to realize the vision for primary care embodied in the Shared Principles.
On Friday, August 2, the PCPCC sumbitted a letter of comments and concerns to CMMI regarding some facets of the new Primary Care First Model. These included suggestions around the risk groups, performance incentives, and quality measures. Learn more and read the letter here.
The CY 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule with comment period was placed on display at the Federal Register on July 29, 2019. This proposed rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after Jan. 1, 2020. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 27, 2019, and will respond to comments in a final rule.
PCPCC supports the Chronic Disease Management Act of 2019, legislation that would enable health plans to offer pre-deductible coverage of high-value services to patients that can improve outcomes and reduce complications. The legislation would create a preventive care safe harbor for treatment of chronic conditions.
PCPCC joined other health organizations in supporting legislation that would remove cost-sharing obligations from the Chronic Care Management (CCM) code to allow more chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries to receive care coordination and case management services. The current cost-sharing requirement creates an unnecessary barrier to care.
PCPCC’s Primary Care Innovations and PCMH Map tracks a diverse range of PCMH and enhanced primary care programs nationwide.
Every year PCPCC releases Annual Review of the Evidence publications that summarize program outcomes for advanced primary care and PCMH initiatives taking place nationwide.
PCPCC's State Legislation Database tracks state government activity and legislation that specifically supports PCMH and other innovative primary care delivery models.
