Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act
Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act
Plain Language Summary
# Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would allow state Medicaid programs to use "direct primary care" arrangements, where doctors receive a fixed monthly or annual fee from the government for providing primary care services to Medicaid patients, rather than being paid per visit. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would be required to hold virtual meetings with stakeholders to provide guidance on how states could implement this model, and to study how well it works in terms of quality and cost. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects Medicaid patients (low-income individuals and families), primary care doctors who accept Medicaid, and state Medicaid programs. It could also influence how Medicaid managed care organizations (private insurance companies that handle Medicaid) structure their payments to doctors. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).
CRS Official Summary
Medicaid Primary Care Improvement ActThis bill specifies that state Medicaid programs are authorized to provide primary care services through direct primary care arrangements (i.e., arrangements in which primary care providers receive a fixed periodic fee for their services). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) convene at least one virtual stakeholder meeting and issue related guidance on how state Medicaid programs may implement direct primary care arrangements, and (2) report on the extent to which state Medicaid programs contract with independent providers and on the quality and cost of care under direct primary care arrangements that are offered through Medicaid managed care organizations.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.