This 2006 report from the members of the RTI International team that designed and are evaluating the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration, provides a description of the demonstration as well as more qualitative information about each of the ten physician groups participating in the demonstration and the quality improvement interventions they are implementing. The report was funded by The Commonwealth Fund and is based on an April 2006 conference jointly sponsored by The Commonwealth Fund and CMS.
Four cross-site themes were identified:
- Improving care management and coordination of care
- Expanding palliative care and hospice care
- Modifying physician practice patterns and behaviors
- Enhancing information technology
Given the reliance on the design and experience of the Physician Group Practice demonstration in CMS’ proposed rule for Medicare Shared Savings accountable care organizations, this report is a useful reference.
Ignatius Bau 