AAHKS Supports Physician-Owned Hospital Model

AAHKS joined more than 70 state and specialty societies, as well as other interested parties, in writing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma expressing support for a demonstration model that will be submitted to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) which would allow physician-owned hospitals to expand their facilities. The model increases patient choice, improves access, fosters patient engagement, improves care quality and reduces inappropriate opioid use. It will not only empower patients in their treatment decisions, but it will also improve competition and reduce the rapid pace of hospital consolidation that has resulted in higher costs for beneficiaries and the Medicare and Medicaid programs. AAHKS expects legislation on revising limitations for physician-owned hospitals to be introduced in this Congress and will apprise members of the issue as it progresses. Read the letter.