Med City News looks at whether the Trump administration is pushing back against value-based care. The article notes:

“{T}he administration has shifted to a focus on voluntary bundles. CMS announced BPCI Advanced, the next-gen version of the original BPCI, in January. The first cohort will start participating in the model, which is voluntary, in October.” BPCI means Bundled Payments for Care Improvement.

“Via email, a CMS spokesman said the alterations to the mandatory programs ‘were made after a robust comment solicitation and were intended to encourage health system change while minimizing provider burden and maintaining access to care.’ The agency is examining the models started by the Obama administration ‘on a case by case basis’ to pinpoint opportunities to improve them.

“With all these cancellations and changes, is the Trump administration undermining value-based care? One industry expert said no, implying the genie can’t be put back in the bottle.”

“I think it’s clear that the principles of value-based care are still endorsed and appreciated industry-wide,” Dr. Charles Saunders,  M.D.,  of Integra Connect CEO, said in a recent phone interview. “I don’t think that there’s any backing off.” Integra provides solutions to optimize value-based patient care at individual, practice and population levels.

“Saunders noted that going forward, the models are likely to change and evolve, particularly as the culture of healthcare continues to adjust to value-based care,” Med City reported.

“I believe that we’ll continue on the course as an industry towards payment for value because the cost of healthcare is on an unsustainable growth path.”

“And perhaps he’s right. With Alex Azar taking the seat as HHS secretary earlier this year, the administration appears to be stressing the significance of fee-for-value. At his Senate confirmation hearing in January, Azar surprisingly expressed support of mandatory bundles.”