CMS Launches Medicare FQHC Advanced Primary Care Demonstration
HHS, in coordination with CMS and HRSA, announced June 6, a new opportunity for health centers -- the Federally Qualified Health Center Advanced Primary Care Demonstration (FQHC APCP) project. This 3-year demonstration project, specifically for FQHCs, is designed to evaluate the effect of the advanced primary care practice model (also known as the patient-centered medical home) on improving care, promoting health, and reducing cost of care. The demonstration will be conducted by the CMS Innovation Center in up to 500 health center sites, with the goal of transforming participating health centers to an NCQA Level 3 Primary Care Medical Home by the end of the demonstration. Those participating sites will receive $6 per member per month and technical assistance to help transformation efforts.
Beginning June 6, 2011, those health centers that are eligible for the CMS demonstration will receive an invitation to apply from CMS Administrator Dr. Berwick and HRSA Administrator Dr. Wakefield. Applications will be accepted until August 12, 2011. NOTE: Only those that receive an invitation will be eligible to apply for the demo, so FQHCs should be on the lookout for this invitation to see if their health center meets the requirements for the demonstration.
“This is an exciting opportunity for health centers to demonstrate the high quality coordinated care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries every day on a national level,” says Dr. David M. Stevens, NACHC’s Associate Chief Medical Officer and Director of the NACHC Quality Center. “The transformation to a medical home is a key priority for health centers and we look forward to the challenge. We encourage those health centers that receive invitations to apply for this remarkable opportunity.”
For more information on the demonstration, please visit the CMS demonstration website and see the HHS press release.
