October 12, 2023

Apply Now: Making Care Primary Model

This summer, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a new voluntary 10.5-year primary care model, Making Care Primary, which is being tested in eight states, including Washington. There is a one-time opportunity, between now and Nov. 30, 2023, to apply to join the model, which will begin in July 2024 for participating physicians and organizations. The WSMA is strongly encouraging interested primary care physicians and practices to learn more about this opportunity and consider applying.

The CMS Making Care Primary model is intended to improve care management and care coordination, equip primary care partnerships with specialists, and leverage community connections to address patients’ health-related social needs such as housing and nutrition. Enrollment is not competitive; CMS has indicated those who meet model criteria will be eligible to participate and there is no enrollment cap.

The CMS team will be answering questions about the forthcoming model in a webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. PDT. In addition to the live Q&A, attendees will be able to submit questions in advance upon registration. Interested physicians and organizations are encouraged to begin their applications even if they are not prepared to submit at this time, as doing so will help CMS provide more tailored support to applicants. A registration link will be sent out in the coming days through CMS’s listserv.

WSMA’s 2023 House of Delegates adopted policy outlining WSMA’s support of measures that increase investments in primary care, such as CMS’s Making Care Primary model. The policy was spearheaded by the Washington Academy of Family Physicians and expands WSMA’s advocacy on primary care.

The WSMA encourages all interested primary care physicians and practices to apply to CMS’s Making Care Primary model and join the upcoming webinar to learn more about the program. If you have questions about the model or application process, please contact Shelby Wiedmann.