Advancing Primary Care in Washington, DC,

Thursday, November 19, 2020

With the 2020 election virtually within the rearview mirror, clinicians and policymakers alike are turning their consideration to the 2021 agenda. For major care suppliers, 2021 will hopefully deliver COVID-19 restoration and response efforts, extra alternatives to pursue value-based fee preparations, and ongoing deployment of telehealth and digital expertise.

The 2020 presidential election is predicted to deliver a few change in administration. Nevertheless, the “blue wave” Democratic sweep projected by some pundits and pollsters didn’t materialize. As a substitute, in Washington, DC, we may have a carefully divided US Senate, with the ultimate steadiness of energy to be decided by two run-off races in Georgia. The US Home of Representatives will stay in Democratic management, however by a smaller margin. The slim margins within the Home and Senate will doubtless constrain the extent to which Democrats are capable of advance progressive coverage modifications. As a substitute, either side of the political aisle in Congress are more likely to deal with bipartisan areas of settlement. For major care clinicians, this setting could also be encouraging, as members of each events share targets round defending and advancing major care throughout the nation.

COVID-19 Response

When the brand new Congress begins and President-Elect Biden is inaugurated in January 2021, COVID-19 aid is predicted to be on the high of the agenda. Count on President-elect Biden and the incoming Congress to pursue financial and public well being aid. Clinicians throughout the nation who’ve confronted depressed income on account of the pandemic look eagerly forward to a different aid package deal that might present extra funding for practices experiencing dramatic shortfalls.

Worth-Primarily based Cost Preparations

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vulnerability of a fee-for-service fee system that rewards clinicians for quantity. It has additionally highlighted the potential alternative related to fashions that mix or depend on pre-payment or a per-member-per-month method. The Trump Administration superior a number of supply fashions that proceed to check the effectiveness of such approaches. Count on the Biden Administration to proceed to advance these kinds of fashions whereas placing its personal stamp on the main points.

Telehealth and Digital Care

The pandemic additionally sparked important uptake of telehealth and digital well being throughout the USA. In 2021, Congress and the administration might want to decide which of those momentary telehealth waivers can endure past the pandemic. Stakeholders might want to proceed to coach policymakers about how telehealth companies match into the broader care continuum and to outline the coverage targets of extending current waiver flexibilities.

Put together for an Energetic Yr in Major Care Coverage

Count on 2021 to be one other energetic yr in major care coverage. We anticipate important developments in each the administration and Congress that can form the supply of healthcare companies for years to return.