How to prepare staff at your independent practice for value-based care
How to prepare staff at your independent practice for value-based care October 9, 2017
The shift away from the traditional fee-for-service model and to value-based care entails a number of regulations, deadlines, and reporting requirements. Independent physicians and their staff should prepare now for upcoming participation in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) to be sure there are no “surprises” as the dates for the new requirements approach.
As an independent physician, the best first step to start preparing your staff is to do the research and understand the requirements of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and QPP. There are options for participation and you and your staff will need to be well-versed in the pros and cons of each before beginning.
The MACRA Quality Payment Program (QPP) offers two tracks for independent physicians:
It might help to assign one staff member to conduct the research, review all the relevant materials, and work with you to determine which path is right for your practice. A number of resources are available to guide you through the seemingly complex administrative responsibilities involved in value-based care.
The American Medical Association (AMA) STEPS Forward is one valuable resource that provides information about value-based care and guidance on how to prepare your practice. AMA recommends discussing the upcoming changes and identifying:
- Staff who will support the new model
- Roles and responsibilities of each physician and their support team
- Frequency of patient contact (via phone call, email or portal messaging)
- Frequency of patient visits to the practice
Once you have the information you need to move forward, be sure to share it with staff members and train them on the new requirements, particularly the billing and reporting regulations. An informed staff is a prepared staff!
Of course, Elation Health also serves as a valuable resource to you and your staff as you transition to value-based care. We are here to support independent physicians, to help you provide quality care for your patients and grow a successful practice.
