Contact Your Lawmakers:

Protect Innovation at Essential Hospitals

MACPAC: DSRIPs Are Challenging But Beneficial

June 16, 2015
Matt Buechner

Delivery system reform incentive payment (DSRIP) programs could improve health outcomes and fundamentally shift the Medicaid Program toward value- and quality-based reimbursement, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). In its June 15 report to Congress, MACPAC published an analysis of the Medicaid wavier programs under way in six states – California, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. As part of these programs, supplemental payments are used to invest in infrastructure, care coordination, and other programs that transform the way Medicaid patients receive care.

MACPAC noted in its report that implementation and evaluation of DSRIPs can be challenging and resource-intensive for states, providers, and the federal government. The commission also noted that DSRIP programs could benefit from clear and consistent federal guidance and a cross-state analysis of lessons learned to help build a strong foundation for expanding these programs in the future.

DSRIP programs are an important mechanism to support essential hospitals as they lead the country in innovative efforts to transform care delivery. The association has urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to preserve and build on DSRIP programs to ensure the sustainability of Medicaid payments and access to quality care for Medicaid patients.

Contact Zina Gontscharow, MPP, policy analyst, at zgontscharow@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0113 with questions.

 

Keep up with the pulse of America's Essential Hospitals

Members: Sign up for email updates.