C-TAC’s Senior Regulatory Advisor, Dr. Marian Grant, joined national leaders on March 17 at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Annual Quality Conference, contributing to an important discussion on advance care planning (ACP).
This annual convening brings together policymakers, clinicians, payers, state leaders, CMS staff, and quality experts to align on the future of health care quality. This year’s theme, “Make America Healthy Again: Innovating Together for Better Health,” focused on advancing quality, safety, prevention, data and AI, and elevating stakeholder voice across the system.
Spotlight: Advance Care Planning in Action
Dr. Grant participated in the panel “Caring Conversations for Tomorrow’s Decisions,” alongside a distinguished group of clinical and policy leaders. The discussion focused on:
- A comprehensive overview of advance care planning and its role in person-centered care
- A new CMS quality measure for ACP that is expected to be proposed in rulemaking later this year
- Real-world examples of successful ACP initiatives, including community-based efforts and work supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers
The panel reinforced the growing recognition that ACP is essential to ensuring care aligns with patient values, particularly for those facing serious illness.
Key Themes Across the Conference
Patient Voice as a Driver of Quality
Across sessions, speakers emphasized the importance of engaging patients and caregivers as active partners in care design and delivery. This aligns closely with C-TAC’s long-standing focus on ensuring care reflects what matters most to individuals and families.
Home Health Rule
A plenary session featuring Rani Snyder, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation, highlighted the continued momentum behind Age-Friendly Health Systems. The discussion centered on the 4Ms framework, which includes What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, with a strong emphasis on prioritizing What Matters in clinical decision-making.
Innovation from CMMI
Leadership from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) shared updates on 13 new models introduced in 2025, signaling continued investment in value-based and integrated care approaches. Notably, CMMI leaders emphasized the importance of incorporating palliative care as part of the broader care continuum, an area where C-TAC has consistently driven policy and practice forward.
Looking Ahead
The CMS Quality Conference highlighted a clear direction for the future, one where innovation, accountability, and patient-centered care are deeply connected. Advance care planning continues to gain traction as both a quality measure and a critical component of high-value care.
Recordings and additional materials from the conference are expected to be released in the coming weeks, offering further insight into the policies and priorities shaping the next phase of health system transformation.
Why This Matters
As CMS continues to elevate quality and patient voice, C-TAC remains committed to advancing policies and models that ensure every person, especially those with serious illness, receives care that aligns with their goals, values, and needs.
