June 15, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing new flexibilities to current and future Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) models.[1] This public health emergency has impacted the U.S. healthcare system in every possible way, and it is hoped that these flexibilities may help ease the burden felt by healthcare providers participating in these innovative models.
CMMI has always aimed to advance innovative payment and service delivery models to help transform the healthcare system from one that pays for volume to one that pays for value. These models reward providers for improving quality of care and health outcomes and reducing costs. To ensure value-based payment models are sustainable, they must adapt to the current and unprecedented situation.[2]
The adjustments made to the CMMI models relate primarily to financial methodologies, quality reporting, and model timelines. CCMI has implemented some changes already and anticipates potential future adjustments as well. Additional information about each of these model adjustments is available here: CMS Innovation Center Models COVID-19 Related Adjustments.
If you have any questions about these adjustments, please contact a member of the ACOs and Bundled Payments team. For any other concerns arising from the pandemic, please contact a member of our COVID-19 Task Force.
Click here for a full PDF of this advisory.
The information contained in this advisory is for
general educational purposes only. It is presented with the understanding that
neither the author nor Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, P.C., is offering any
legal or other professional services. Since the law in many areas is complex
and can change rapidly, this information may not apply to a given factual
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[1] https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/covid-19-flexibilities.
[2] https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200602.80889/full/.
