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NORC at the University Chicago

Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC)

Anonymous nurse and a doctor wearing masks talking at the hospital reception desk
Supporting and evaluating physician-generated ideas for improving care and lowering costs
  • Client
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
  • Dates
    2018 – Present

Problem

Medicare’s current fee-for-service system is costly and fails to deliver world-class health care consistently and equitably. 

Medicare reform efforts have generally focused on systems and hospitals, encouraging efficiencies and emphasizing preventive care to save money, promote equity, and upgrade quality. Lawmakers worry this approach may not support health care specialists, such as cardiologists, optometrists, and oncologists, who are integral to care for our aging population.

Solution

NORC facilitates rigorous consideration of new, physician-generated ideas in health care reform.  

Congress created PTAC to solicit proposals from clinicians for Medicare reform, with a focus on modernizing traditional fee-for-service reimbursement for care.

In 2018, HHS commissioned NORC at the University of Chicago to provide a broad range of services to support PTAC’s work. We analyze incoming proposals, prepare claims-based and literature-based research, and provide information so PTAC members can make informed decisions. In addition, we handle compliance with regulatory and administrative rules and logistics required for federal meetings and public hearings under FACA.

PTAC has received dozens of proposals from associations, health systems, universities, physician practices, and individual doctors. NORC has prepared written analytic reports for 35 of the proposals for officials at HHS and CMS. In addition, at PTAC’s direction, NORC now works under HHS to organize learning sessions for PTAC that explore the topics raised by the proposals to analyze promising ideas, in areas such as population-based total cost of care, care coordination, social determinants of health, telehealth, and digital health.  

Result

NORC’s rigorous analyses identify avenues for transformational change.

NORC’s assessments of payment model proposals as well as key themes raised across proposals, including care coordination, social determinants of health, and population-based total cost of care models provide vital information and fresh perspectives to PTAC on ways to reform Medicare. This information has the potential to transform the entire health care system by lowering costs, improving quality, strengthening health equity, and increasing patient and caregiver satisfaction.

Learn More About the Project

PTAC’s recommendations and a full library of associated reports and analysis are available on the ASPE PTAC website.

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PTAC Public Meeting

Next Meeting Date: September 16-17, 2024

Members of the public may view, listen, or participate in the meeting in four ways: in-person, livestream, dial-in only, or as a public commenter. Registration is required for attendance. Visit ASPE’s PTAC website for more information.

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