Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Payment Program - Value Based Payment (VBP) Milestone Template

Sep 12, 2026

Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) provides a Value Based Payment (VBP) milestone template to help EPT practices assess VBP readiness, identify capability gaps, and build an action plan for improvement. The milestone is based on the VaPCAT tool, which evaluates readiness across leadership, operations, data/analytics/technology, financial, and payer/partner relations domains. Practices use VaPCAT results to complete a gap analysis and describe measurable, time-bound changes and mitigation strategies for VBP participation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Milestone Description

VaPCAT Capability Assessment Tool

Gap Analysis to Identify Areas of Improvement

Develop an Action Plan to Improve Readiness for VBP

Instructions and Submission Cycles

Completing VaPCAT and Using Results

Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Payment Program Value Based Payment (VBP) Milestone Template Value Based Payment (VBP) Milestone Template Milestone Description Conduct an assessment of value-based payment (VBP) readiness, identify gaps, and develop an action plan to improve readiness for VBP. The VaPCAT is the first component of the EPT VBP milestone; EPT practices will also submit the VBP deliverables template which includes a gap analysis and action plan. The VBP milestone can be submitted in May or November 2026 via the EPT Deliverable Portal. The EPT VBP milestone is intended to support EPT practices to increase their readiness to enter into VBP contract(s) . This milestone is comprised of the following components: 1. Value-Based Pay Capability Assessment Tool (VaPCAT) : The VaPCAT supports primary care practices in assessing their capabilities for engaging in VBP arrangements across five core domains: (a) leadership, governance, and legal; (b) operations; (c) data, analytics, and technology; (d) financial; and, (e) payer and partner relations. It was developed through a 30-member Medi-Cal VBP Implementation Workgroup that included multi-stakeholder representatives from state agencies, provider associations, health plans, and practices. The tool was informed by existing value-based payment frameworks, adapted from national literature, and vetted and formally tested with a diverse group of practices . Refinements were made based on feedback. The VaPCAT complements the population health domains assessed through the PhmCAT. Considering results from both tools provides a more nuanced understanding of the clinical capabilities, population health management skills and organizational infrastructure needed to succeed in VBP arrangements. The VaPCAT is best completed by an individual or team with visibility into financial, operational, and data assets of the organization . This is most often the practice owner (s) or senior or executive organizational leader(s) . If no one holds all those insights, it would be helpful to solicit input from several individual leaders. A hard copy of the VaPCAT is accessible here. 2. Gap analysis to identify areas of improvement: EPT practices will use the results of the VaPCAT to identify three areas of opportunity to increase readiness to participate in VBP arrangements. Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Payment Program Value Based Payment (VBP) Milestone Template 3. Develop an action plan to improve readiness for VBP: For each identified improvement area, EPT practices will develop a plan to improve readiness for VBP. This plan will include identifying: desired goal or objective; activities and timeline to achieve this objective; key decisions; structural changes; staffing and leadership engagement; how progress will be measured; and, any anticipated risks and mitigation strategies. EPT practices will also describe the process they undertook to develop the action plan. Entering into a new VBP contract is not required to meet this milestone. Instructions This template is provided for reference only and outlines the required components for your submission. Final deliverables must be submitted via the EPT Deliverable Portal. If you have questions, [please email info@pophealthlc.org. As reflected in](please email info@pophealthlc.org. As reflected in)[ ](please email info@pophealthlc.org. As reflected in)the milestone description, EPT practices can submit this deliverable in either the May 2026 or November 2026 deliverable cycle. A. Value-Based Payment Capability Assessment Tool (VaPCAT) EPT practices complete the VaPCAT and use the results to complete the remainder of the VBP deliverable template. A downloadable copy of the VaPCAT is accessible here. B. Gap Analysis to Identify Areas of Improvement The gap analysis enables EPT practices to use the results from the VaPCAT to identify areas where capabilities may not be fully built out. Identifying and pr

FAQs

What is the purpose of the EPT VBP milestone template?

It supports EPT practices in assessing VBP readiness, identifying gaps, and developing an action plan to improve readiness for participating in VBP contracts.

How does VaPCAT fit into the milestone?

VaPCAT is the first component of the VBP milestone and assesses capabilities across five core domains, with results used to complete the remaining template sections.

Is entering into a new VBP contract required to complete this milestone?

No. Entering into a new VBP contract is not required to meet this milestone.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by WPS_1786070896