CMS Innovation Center Requests Stakeholder Input

On September 20, 2017, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information soliciting stakeholder with regards to innovative programs it could offer to improve quality, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. The RFI states requests suggestions in the following eight focus areas: (i) increased participation in Advanced Alternative Payment Models; (ii) consumer-directed care and market-based innovation models; (iii) physician specialty models; (iv) prescription drug models; (v) Medicare Advantage Innovation Models; (vi) state based and local innovation, including Medicaid models; (vii) Mental and Behavioral Health Models and (viii) Program Integrity.

The RFI was released just a month after CMS proposed changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model, cancellation of the mandatory episode payment models and cardiac rehabilitation incentive payment model.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma explained, “Stakeholders have asked for more input on the design of [Innovation Center] models. These changes make this possible and give CMS maximum flexibility to test other episode-based models that will bring about innovation and provide better care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

Interested stakeholders can submit comments online or emai them through November 20, 2017.