News: CMS calls for input on pediatric alternative payment model concepts

CMS requested input on their potential pediatric alternative payment model concepts this week. They are seeking feedback to the following areas:

• Integrated pediatric health care and health-related social service delivery model (general)
• Operation of integrated service model
• Integrated pediatric service model payment and incentive arrangements
• Pediatric measures
• Other comments

The first and second areas, relating to health care and social services, explores the interest in an alternative payment model which would combine the two areas. This would make it both a quality initiative and a multi-disciplinary service model. CMS would also appreciate input into the potential function and structure of this new proposed model.

The integration of the pediatric service model and incentive arrangements would seek to improve the “coordination and alignment across programs and systems by supporting the establishment of robust health care and health-related social service provider partnerships,” according to the CMS release.

Finally, CMS is looking for input into the actual pediatric measures that would best assess the quality of pediatric healthcare. This covers both suggested measures and anything that facilities are already reviewing for.

All comments must be submitted by March 28, 2017, by email to healthychildrenandyouth@cms.hhs.gov.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the input requested, please click here. For questions regarding the project, CMS says to email healthychildrenandyouth@cms.hhs.gov with “RFI” in the subject line.