News: CMS announces new bundled payment model to improve quality

CMS plans to launch a new voluntary bundled payment model—the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced)—to “improve quality of care, coordination, and cost-effectiveness for both inpatient and outpatient care,” according to a release.

BPCI Advanced participants can earn additional payments if their expenses for a particular episode of care are under a target spending amount, factoring in quality. The participants can earn payments for performance on 32 different clinical episodes.

The new model will also qualify as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) under the Quality Payment Program. Like other Advanced APMs, new BPCI Advanced participants do take on some financial risk, according to CMS, since the payments are tied to quality of care.

The model performance period begins on October 1, 2018, and runs through December 31, 2023. Those looking to participate in the program must apply by March 12, 2018, by mail.

The CMS Innovation Center will also hold a Q&A on Tuesday, January 30, 12-1 p.m. eastern, about the new model. Those interested in attending can register in advance by clicking here.

Editor’s note: To read the full release from CMS, including information about applying to participate in the new program, click here. To read more about the beginnings of Advanced APMs under the Quality Payment Program, click here.