1. Our AMA believes Geographic variations in capitation rates from public programs (e.g., Medicare or Medicaid) should reflect only demonstrable variations in practice costs and correctly validated variations in utilization that reflect legitimate and demonstrable differences in health care need. In particular, areas that have relatively low utilization rates due to cost containment efforts should not be penalized with unrealistically low reimbursement rates. In addition, these payments should be adjusted at the individual level with improved risk adjustors that include demographic factors, health status, and other useful and cost-effective predictors of health care use.

2. Our AMA will work to assure that any current or proposed Medicare or Medicaid (including waivers) capitated payments should be set at levels that would establish and maintain access to quality care.

3. Our AMA seeks modifications as appropriate to the regulations and/or statues affecting Medicare HMOs and other Medicare managed care arrangements to incorporate the revised Patient Protection Act and to ensure equal access to Medicare managed care contracts for physician-sponsored managed care organizations.

4. Our AMA supports development of a Medicare risk payment methodology that would set payment levels that are fair and equitable across geographic regions; in particular, such methodology should allow for equitable payment rates in those localities with relatively low utilization rates due to cost containment efforts.

 

Policy Timeline

CMS Rep. 3, A-95 CMS Rep. 7, I-95 Modified and Reaffirmed: Sub. Res. 120, A-97 Reaffirmation A-99 Reaffirmed: CMS Rep. 4, I-99 Reaffirmation A-00 Reaffirmation A-05 Reaffirmed: CMS Rep. 1, A-15