CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD, outlined the general direction he will lead the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid during a CMS conference call with physician practices on Tuesday. Dr. Berwick's attendance on the call, which was not advertised in advance, was one of his first interactions as an administrator with billers, practice managers and physicians specifically billing Medicare Part B.
He began his remarks by thanking CMS staff for hosting these forums and then commented on health care and the Medicare program. He called the Affordable Care Act "landmark" legislation to improve access, coverage and quality of care in America. The act is the most significant legislation since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, he said. Dr. Berwick then discussed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's idea of a "Triple Aim":
- Better care for individuals that's safer and more effective;
- Better population health behaviors; and
- Reduce costs, waste without harming patients.
The new CMS administrator and former pediatrician, who used to work for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, did not articulate how he would implement Triple Aim at CMS. Later in the call, Dr. Berwick mentioned he's interested in the administrative costs practices incur and reducing burdens without impacting services.
He encouraged physicians and practice staff to speak up, insisting that dialogue is essential and will make CMS and the Medicare program better.