The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform: Recalibrating fee-for-service and transitioning to fixed payment models

摘要

In its middle six recommendations (#4-9), the National Commission on Physician Payment Reform recognized that while it is imperative that we transition to fixed payment models, our existing fee-for-service (FFS) structure needs recalibration. FFS is currently the dominant payment model for physicians and will remain the basis for many new payment models. The Commission, therefore, enumerated transitional policies to more appropriately value and strengthen the base of the physician workforce pyramid that provides most of the evaluation and management (E&M) services in the United States. They provide next steps for addressing imbalances in payment policies, emphasizing quality, connecting smaller practices to leverage change, and focusing first where there is greatest potential for savings.1