AMA, provider groups, urge CMS to pay out advanced APM bonuses

Several national groups representing accountable care organizations (ACO) and physicians expressed concern that CMS has delayed disbursement of the 5% advanced alternative payment model (APM) bonus. Under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, the bonus, based on 2017 performance data, was expected to be paid in 2019.

In a September 16 letter to CMS, the AMA, the National Association of ACOs, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Medical Group Management Association, and other national associations, stated that no advanced APM participants have received the expected bonus payment. However, physicians and other participants in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System began receiving bonus payments based on 2017 performance starting in January 2019. CMS has not offered an explanation for the delay or provided updates on when the bonus will be paid to participants in advanced APMs, according to the letter.

The letter urges CMS to distribute the bonus as soon as possible and to commit to paying bonuses for subsequent performance years no later than June 30 of each year.