HHS announces that 30 percent of Medicare payments are tied to quality

On March 3 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it had met its goal ahead of schedule to tie 30 percent of Medicare payments to alternative payment models, which seek to link payment to quality, rather than quantity of services. Early last year, HHS set its 30 percent goal with the expectation that it would be met by the end of 2016.

Through the development of new accountable care organizations (ACOs), and increased participation in other payment models, the goal was met almost a year ahead of schedule. Based on a January 2016 estimate, approximately $117 billion out of a projected $380 billion in Medicare payments are tied to alternative payment models.

Visit the HHS website for more information about HHS’s future goals regarding alternative payment models.