Utilizing CMS Alternative Payment Models to Advance Health Equity

The purpose of this study is to understand the key stakeholder perspectives on the utilization of CMS APMs to advance health equity. In theory, the APM should function as a vehicle to improve health equity, since it properly aligns payment to health. However, while APMs have been associated with a degree of cost-efficiency, their impact on health-and health equity-remain uncertain. My research will help identify the barriers that prevent healthcare organizations from utilizing CMS APMs to advance health equity. While there are many initiatives underway that are creating, applying, and testing frameworks to improve health equity and to improve CMS APM performance, they not been studied together.