ASPIRE 2027 CQI VBR – Frequently Asked Quesons (FAQ)
What is changing for ASPIRE 2027 Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR)?
Starng with 2027 VBR, ASPIRE Coordinang Center, in collaboraon with Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan (BCBSM), is pilong a new VBR methodology to beer align VBR rewards with the
performance data sites view in the MPOG Quality Improvement (QI) Dashboards.
Two key updates will be implemented:
1. The 2-year provider eligibility requirement is being removed
2. VBR performance will be based on hospital-level performance using all cases (rather
than only cases from VBR-eligible aending anesthesiologists)
When will these changes be eecve?
Eecve with the current measurement period.
Measurement Period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Reimbursement eecve date: March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2028
How is VBR Performance Calculated?
Performance will connue to be calculated at the hospital level
However, all cases during the measurement period will be included in performance
scoring, rather than only those cases performed by eligible aendings
Why was this change made?
This approach aligns VBR calculaons with hospital dashboard performance scores, improving
transparency for sites tracking progress.
Are providers sll assigned to a primary hospital?
Yes. Providers will connue to be assigned to a Primary Hospital based on where they perform
the majority of their cases.
What must a provider do to be eligible for 2027 VBR payment?
If a hospital meets VBR performance thresholds, providers assigned to that hospital may qualify
for VBR payment if the praconer is contracted with BCBSM’s PPO network and credenaled
appropriately in anesthesiology or is in an aliated BCBSM PGIP organizaon.
BCBSM will validate eligibility by assessing if the provider is listed as a contracted
provider from January 7, 2026 and through February 2027
o For example, if a provider was contracted with BCBSM on January 7, 2026 but
not on the list in February 2027, the provider would not be eligible for 2027 VBR
payment.
How can a pracce or hospital assess if a provider is contracted with BCBSM?
Check with your pracce manager as they may be able to idenfy that informaon,
though this may be only current status, you will need to be contracted with BCBSM for
the enre period (January 2026 – February 2027) to qualify for receipt of VBR.
The ASPIRE Coordinang Center can provide recent status for contracted PPO providers.
Individual providers can also call 1-800-822-2761, to check individual status.
How does a provider get contracted with BCBSMs PPO network?
To be added, the provider must complete BCBSM contracng. This process is usually
handled by the provider’s pracce manager or administrave leadership.
More informaon is available at: hps://www.bcbsm.com/providers/enrollment.html
Please contact mpog-quality@med.umich.edu with addional quesons.
