Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new voluntary primary care model – the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model, a 10.5-year model that has the potential to result in significant cost savings for all community health centers across the network, allowing them to fulfill their mission as hyper-local health care hubs. Advocates for Community Health (ACH) congratulates three ACH member health centers, Neighborcare Health, Peninsula Community Health Services, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, for participating in the MCP Model.

This model culminates over a year of discussions between the CMS Innovation Center, ACH, and health equity stakeholders nationwide. ACH was pivotal in integrating health-related social needs and behavioral health into primary care. The MCP Model collaborates with State Medicaid agencies and private payers to support primary care transformation across payers.

There are 133 participants in MCP, representing 772 practices across Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington. Fifty-five participants (41%) are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

In addition to providing additional resources and data to help primary care clinicians integrate better care, MCP also aims to ensure that patients receive care to meet their health goals and social needs. Patients will receive enhanced support from MCP participants to better manage their conditions and improve their overall wellness.

ACH thanks its members and value-based care working group members who help spearhead innovation in policy and practice. We look forward to our continued work with CMS to drive care transformation and advance health equity efforts.