n4a Leads Sign-On Letter to CMS on Accountable Health Communities

• By: USAging
• On: 05/19/2016 09:38:02
• In: Policy & Advocacy

While the model recognizes that many drivers of health care costs exist beyond the sphere of influence and scope of acute health care delivery alone and that the use of community services providers to bridge this gap is the best solution, as currently written, the AHC model has severe limitations that will prevent CMS and partners from adequately addressing the health-related social needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

The letter's primary recommendation addressed the need to include adequate funding for community-based services at the center of the AHC model, as opposed to only building awareness about available community services and facilitating the connection between beneficiaries and services, as currently outlined. The letter also asks CMS to address diversity that exists in Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary populations; limitations on core health-related services assessments; lack of involvement of family caregivers or assessment of their needs for support; and unrealistic expectations and evaluation criteria.

n4a previously sent an individual letter to CMS in March, detailing our concerns with the AHC model.