MACRA: New Directions for Medicare Physician Payment

Friday, May 20, 2016
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate formula (SGR) and set out a blueprint for reforming physician payment under Medicare with an eye towards better aligning Medicare payments with the cost and quality of patient care. On April 27, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule to implement the law. While the proposed rule provides more clarity on how to move the health care system from volume to value, questions about implementing the law remain among policymakers, providers, and patients.

This briefing provided an overview of the MACRA legislation; examined the newly-released proposed rule; and highlighted key issues for implementation.

Elizabeth Mitchell, president and CEO, Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement

Kate Goodrich, director, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Timothy Ferris, senior vice president, Population Health Management, Partners HealthCare

Ashley Thompson, senior vice president, Public Policy Analysis and Development, American Hospital Association

Sarah Dash, Alliance for Health Reform, and Rachel Nuzum, The Commonwealth Fund, co-moderated.