In a letter submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on August 3rd, the American Hospital Association (AHA) supported CMS’ view that Stark Law “in its current form may prohibit relationships that are designed to enhance care coordination, improve quality, and reduce waste.”

“Every day, hospitals and health systems – and the patients they serve – experience the frustration of working to coordinate care and improve the health of their communities while continuously encountering the obstacles of existing rigid compensation regulations,” the letter reads. “We strongly endorse your view that ‘to achieve a truly value-based, patient-centered health care system, doctors and other providers need to work together with patients.’”

The AHA also suggests three high-level focus points for amending the legislation:
– Protection for value-based payment methodologies
– Clear, authoritative, and timely guidance
– Refocus regulations on arrangements that produce overutilization

You can read the letter, as well as detailed comments from the AHA, here.