A bi-weekly newsletter from your physician organization to keep you informed of today's healthcare news

Having the right resources to better engage patients can make a big difference in improving quality of care. And focusing on closing gaps in care now helps ensure important screenings and health concerns are addressed before the end of year (when quality metrics also matter).

The Physician Alliance created health toolkits to provide a variety of resources focused on specific health conditions. The materials and outreach tools can help initiate conversations with patients to increase knowledge and skills for managing their health. Coding and other documents can assist with practice performance and improved quality metrics.

Current toolkit topics include:

• Community health services
• Diabetes prevention & management
• Gaps in care
• Where to get care

The toolkits include many resources, such as:

• patient education materials on specific health topics
• coding tips
• social media graphics
• staff information/tips

TPA members can access these toolkits from the member portal - log in now.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) recently announced major changes to the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) program eligibility and requirements. 

Practices have the opportunity to earn:

• up to 10% VBR for CoCM
• additional 5% Advanced Primary Care designation VBR (if also participating in provider-delivered care management (PDCM) and PCMH designated)

Primary care practices interested in earning a value-based reimbursement (VBR) for Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) in 2027 must be nominated by their physician organization in spring 2027. If designated by BCBSM, the VBR will start Sept. 1, 2027.

There are several steps necessary to be eligible for nomination, including multiple deadlines in 2026. Starting the process now ensures no roadblocks to nomination in early 2027. There are VERY LIMITED TRAINING DATES in 2026.

The Collaborative Care Model brings behavioral health and primary care together to offer integrated care. A patient's primary care provider, behavioral health care manager, and psychiatric provider work as a team, developing a shared care plan, to meet the needs of patients with mild to moderate behavioral health concerns.

Independent primary care practices wanting support in integrating these services can work with Janus Healthcare Partners, TPA's new partner. This healthcare company provides a turnkey collaborative care program designed to support private practices in implementing and sustaining CoCM. The organization partners with practices to extend the reach of primary care teams by providing Michigan-licensed clinical staff and a proprietary clinical platform, helping to address patients' behavioral health issues and adherence to the CoCM program requirements.

The Physician Alliance and Janus recently hosted a webinar to explain CoCM changes to interested independent primary care practices. Contact your practice resource team member for the webinar recording link and more information about being nominated for CoCM.

Does your practice offer behavioral health care management services to patients? Promote these services with TPA's new patient education flyer! (Check out the other care management materials available at no cost to TPA members.)

The Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) brings together behavioral health and primary care to offer integrated care. A patient's primary care provider, behavioral health care manager, and psychiatric provider work as a team to develop a shared care plan to meet the needs of patients with mild to moderate behavioral health concerns. 

Primary care practices can participate in BCBSM's CoCM program to improve patient quality of care and practice metrics and revenue. Practices have the opportunity to earn up to 10% VBR for CoCM and an additional 5% Advanced Primary Care designation VBR if also participating in provider-delivered care management (PDCM) and is PCMH designated. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments pre-publication review and dispute period is now open through Friday, May 15, 2026. CMS created Open Payments as a national disclosure program that promotes a more financially transparent and accountable health care system. From April 1 through May 15 annually, health care providers can review, affirm, and if necessary, dispute any payment data reported about them before it is made available to the public on June 30. Although this process is voluntary, it is strongly encouraged by CMS to help ensure the accuracy of the data attributed to you. 

Covered recipients, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, CRNAs, anesthesiologist assistants and certified nurse-midwives, can review and dispute what Industry has attributed to them for 2025 before it becomes public. Many health systems use this data to review pertinent information about their providers, including annual conflict-of-interest disclosures.

For more information and to get started, view the CMS guide.

Hospitals face growing fallout from ACA coverage cliff, Becker's Hospital Review

Michigan lawmakers target medical debt, drug costs and a surprising fee, Bridge Michigan

Supreme Court gives abortion pill mifepristone a 1-week reprieve from a major change, NPR

If you feel like you can't afford health care, you're not alone, Axios

Michigan medical debts, anger soar as hospitals spend billions on expansions, Bridge Michigan

7 physician specialties see pay drops, Becker's Hospital Review