Newswise — Alexandria, VA—The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) and a broad range of stakeholders today announced that they have formed the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) dedicated to strengthening Medicare Advantage (MA) and demonstrating the program’s value to Congress, the executive branch, and Medicare beneficiaries. The MA program remains under the constant threat of cuts. AMGA and the other members of BMA continue to support this important program and oppose cuts to it.
BMA unites providers, beneficiaries and advocates who believe Medicare Advantage is better for seniors and better for the healthcare system as a whole.
Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage is the part of Medicare that provides high-quality, more affordable healthcare coverage. More than 16 million Medicare beneficiaries rely on Medicare Advantage for their health and financial security, including medical, prescription drugs, vision, dental, fitness and wellness benefits.
Medicare Advantage focuses on prevention, coordinated care, better management of chronic conditions, and new provider payment models that reward value over volume. As a result of these innovations, Medicare Advantage is enhancing seniors’ health and well-being, while driving systemic improvements in care delivery.
“AMGA and its multispecialty medical group members fully support the Medicare Advantage program,” said Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, president and chief executive officer of AMGA. “MA incentives align with the goals of medical groups: improved care and reduced cost. MA plans help to improve care coordination by providing incentives for the effective management of chronic conditions and they enable multispecialty medical groups to offer innovative services to their patients. AMGA member groups work with MA plans to focus on high risk patients and use technology and care management strategies to help reduce readmissions for Medicare Advantage patients. We are very pleased to join the Better Medicare Alliance.”Building on the growing body of research showing that Medicare Advantage is improving health outcomes for seniors, the new group will commission research on the value proposition of Medicare Advantage. BMA will also rally support among seniors and stakeholders to preserve and strengthen this critically important coverage option that one-third of Medicare beneficiaries have chosen. BMA allies will work together to:
• Build on Medicare Advantage’s approach to care coordination• Ensure that Medicare Advantage funding is stabilized, predictable and consistent to protect beneficiaries• Learn from innovation in Medicare Advantage
BMA’s founding allies are: Aetna, American Medical Group Association, Healthcare Leadership Council, Healthways, Humana, The Latino Coalition, The National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, Population Health Alliance, UnitedHealth Group, and the US Chamber.
About AMGAThe American Medical Group Association (AMGA) is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing medical groups, health systems, and other organized systems of care, including some of the nation's largest, most prestigious integrated delivery systems. AMGA is a leading voice in advocating for efficient, team-based, and accountable care. AMGA members encompass all models of organized systems of care in the healthcare industry, including: physician-owned, independent group practices, integrated delivery systems, hospital-affiliated medical groups, independent practice associations (IPAs), academic and faculty practices, accountable care organizations, and high-performing health systems. More than 150,000 physicians practice in AMGA member organizations, providing healthcare services for 120 million patients (approximately one in three Americans). Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for these organizations, providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs, publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. www.amga.org
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