News: Bundled payment initiatives begin testing phase

CDI Strategies - Volume 7, Issue 4

More than 500 organizations have signed on to participate in CMS’ “Bundled Payments for Care Improvement” initiative, to test whether grouping payments by episode of care can help improve quality and lower costs, according to a CMS release.

CMS outlined four models varying by the types of health care providers involved and the services included in the bundle. These range from bundles for acute care facilities and their physicians, acute and post-acute care, and post-acute care organizations such as rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities.
 
The program will begin incrementally. In Phase 1, slated for January through July 2013, CMS will share data on care patterns with 100 participants and more than 400 provider organizations to prepare for implementation and assumption of financial risk. Organizations were given flexibility in selecting clinical conditions to bundle, developing partnerships across the continuum of care within their communities, and determining how to redesign care delivery.
 
Found in Categories: 
News