FAQ
In this era of healthcare reform and rapid change, physicians need the facts. We will start by providing straight answers to our most frequently asked questions.
- Why Join Primary PartnerCare?
- We are the only adult medicine, primary care ACO and IPA in our region. We are uniquely focused on primary care, and speak with a unified voice. We have succeeded in the Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO with both quality and cost savings, and we have repeatedly been in the highest performing tier of the Mount Sinai Health Partners Clinical Integration Network, receiving two awards for quality performance for the 2018 performance year. By picking Primary PartnerCare, you can maintain your autonomy as a physician while enjoying the benefits of a larger organization focused on primary care doctors and their patients.
- What is the mission of Primary PartnerCare?
- The mission of Primary PartnerCare is to preserve and enhance the private practice of medicine through an independent primary care driven model that empowers physician-patient partnerships. As the healthcare system continues to transform, we believe that primary care should lead - not follow. We are dedicated to the wellbeing of our patients through caring and collaborative patient partnerships. We believe that these patient relationships are the joy of medicine.
- Can the MSO help me manage my practice?
- Primary PartnerCare offers MSO services, not only for ACO and IPA services, but also comprehensive practice management services through a new MSO jointly owned with Primary PartnerCare Physicians, PLLC.
- How is Primary PartnerCare structured?
- We have two independent practice associations (IPAs). Primary PartnerCare ACO Independent Practice Association, Inc was selected by CMS to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and is a Medicare ACO certified by NYS. The other IPA, Primary PartnerCare Alliance IPA, Inc, contracts with health plans through a relationship with Mount Sinai Health Partners. We also have a management services organization (MSO), Primary PartnerCare Management Group, Inc. which provides proprietary technology and management services to MSSP ACO and the IPA. Effective Q4 2020 we launched an integrated medical group and a practice management MSO jointly owned with the medical group.
- Can I belong to more than one IPA?
- The answer to that question has changed over the years as the healthcare system has evolved. Primary care physicians can only belong to one Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO, and with the new health plan models of patient attribution and accountability for patient populations, the reality is that primary care physicians are forced to choose IPAs so the payors can attribute the patient lives based on the primary care physician's affiliation.
- Are all the Doctors under one Tax ID Number?
- Under the current model, each doctor keeps his/her own tax ID#, with the launch of Primary PartnerCare Physicians, PLLC, we are evolving into a single-TIN group.
- Why are there 2 IPAs?
- One IPA has been selected by CMS as a Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO. The other IPA contracts with health plans to provide similar value-based care.
- Do I have to join both the Medicare ACO and the IPA?
- No, the two IPAs are separate corporations. Membership in one is not contingent on membership in the other. We encourage physicians to join both to maximize value and simplify administration in their offices.
- Do I have to use an EMR?
- Yes, all of our members are required to implement an EMR if they are requesting to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO. Mount Sinai Health Partners also requires that all its member physicians use an EMR.
- Will Primary PartnerCare help train my staff?
- Yes, we understood the critical role of physicans' staff in the the implementation and compliance of the new value-based payment models. We have regional Office Rep Councils that meet for breakfast 8X a year, to learn from our executive staff, and have Practice Transformation Managers that are in the field supporting and helping our practices succeed. We continuously inform our practices of new billable services, changes in billing practices and regulations. Our offices know that help for any issue they have is simply a phone call away.