CMS adds more participants to bundled payments initiative

More than 2,100 acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), physician group practices, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehab facilities and home health agencies have moved into the risk-bearing implementation period in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative. And an additional 1,755 providers have partnered with these organizations, according to a CMS press release.

As previously reported, the initiative will test four models of bundling, each with a different definition of an “episode of care.” Within most models, providers can choose among 48 care episodes, including joint replacements, digestive disorders, heart bypass procedures, stroke treatment and spinal fusions.

"We are excited that thousands of providers in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative have joined us in changing the health care system to pay for quality over quantity – spending our dollars more wisely and improving care for Medicare beneficiaries," Patrick Conway, MD, CMS acting principal deputy administrator and chief medical officer, said in the press release. "By focusing on outcomes for an episode of care, rather than separate procedures in care delivery, we are incentivizing hospitals, doctors and other providers to work together to provide high quality, coordinated care for patients." 

Read the full release here.

Related article:

CMS announces test sites for bundled payment program

Megan Combs

Megan Combs was Associate Editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long Term Living from 2013-2018.