Value-Based Payment Reform Academy – Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Assistance
- How many hours of technical assistance can a state receive?
NASHP does not place restrictions on technical assistance. In addition to the individual monthly calls for each state team, each team will have ongoing access to NASHP staff who can provide technical assistance or connect states with external faculty in response to state needs.
- As a participating state would I be limited to receiving technical assistance from on-call faculty?
No, states are not confined to receiving technical assistance from on-call faculty. The on-call faculty is a group of state, national, and federal experts and other leaders who are interested in this Academy and supporting its six states to develop and implement value-based Medicaid reimbursement models. NASHP asked this group of individuals to participate because they bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience; however, states should not feel confined to this list. It is not uncommon for states to be connected to faculty beyond the on-call list in order to best meet their needs. NASHP will do its best to ensure every technical assistance request is met.
- I am interested in learning more about on-call faculty. Where can I find more information?
The most up to date list of on-call faculty is available for download under ‘RFA Resources’ on the Value-Based Payment Reform Academy’s landing page located on the NASHP website.
Eligibility
- If my state is already receiving a model test or model design grant through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative, are we still eligible to apply for this Academy?
NASHP’s Academy is open to all states that are committed to developing and/or implementing value-based alternative payment methodologies (APMs) for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and/or rural health clinics (RHCs). This Academy is supported through a National Organizations of State and Local Officials (NOSLO) cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Value-Based Payment Reform Academy is not connected with CMMI’s SIM Initiative. NASHP does, however, believe that participating in this Academy would complement many states’ SIM work.
- Is NASHP looking for a target scope for a pilot in a state’s application, such as a minimum number of clinics, geographic regions, or attributed members?
No. This Academy aims to let states define their long-term goals related to FQHC and RHC payment reform and then support states with discrete aspects of those goals over the 12 months of technical assistance. NASHP is eager to support states at various stages along the continuum of development and implementation of an APM. For some states this could be designing and building consensus on a specific value-based APM; for others it could be developing a state plan amendment or managed care contract language; for others it could be bringing a pilot to scale. This work may also be part of states’ larger delivery system and payment reform efforts.
- In my state we are at the beginning stage of thinking about value-based purchasing. Can we still apply?
Yes, as long as your state team is able to secure support and participation from Medicaid, the primary care association, and a FQHC or RHC provider. NASHP is looking for a range of states. It anticipates applicant states will be anywhere from designing and building stakeholder consensus on a specific value-based APM to launching a pilot or statewide initiative. Successful applicants, regardless of how far along they are in this work, will demonstrate in their applications how their proposed work in this Academy will be transformative, achievable within the 12 month time period, and demonstrate that this work is of mutual interest to key stakeholders in your state.
Team Composition
- Would a representative from the primary care association count for both the primary care association core team member and the FQHC/RHC provider team member, which are required to participate? Or would you prefer two distinct individuals?
NASHP is requiring that state teams include both a primary care association representative and a FQHC or RHC provider representative. NASHP thinks it is critical to have a provider’s perspective on the core team. However, NASHP understands that one month might not be enough time to secure participation from a provider representative; in these cases, please leave that team member’s name blank and in your application describe your strategy for engaging a provider (or providers) to participate in this work if selected.
- Are private funders able to participate as the ‘other’ member of the core team? For example, a few foundations would like to participate as they would be willing to structure grant giving to fund value-based care.
NASHP would like states’ work in this Academy to be driven by a collaborative effort among state agencies and community-based organizations. It would like to see states make efforts toward long-term policy changes. NASHP welcomes states to seek funding to support the development or implementation of value-based APMs as long as their work is driven by a collaborative state agency and community organization effort. In these instances, funders may serve on a broader state team, but not on a state’s core team.
- Are you requiring the Medicaid Director to participate?
No; however, NASHP is looking for someone in a leadership position within Medicaid that can represent the views of the Medicaid agency to participate.
- What if a member of the core team cannot attend the Kick-Off Meeting?
NASHP encourages all core team members to attend the Kick-Off Meeting; however, that is not always possible. NASHP will work with your team individually to identify who would best replace that person; often it makes sense for the person who cannot attend to recommend a colleague who can attend on his/her behalf.
Other
- Will the presentation be available for download?
Yes. To view the slide deck, follow the link provided here. To view the presentation, follow the link provided here, then click the blue “download” button at the top of your screen. These resources can also be accessed on the Value-Based Payment Reform Academy’s landing page located on NASHP’s website.
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