CMS accepting applications for extended bundled payment model 

Acute care hospitals, physician group practices and Medicare accountable care organizations may apply through May 31 to participate in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Model for two years beginning in January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today. CMS launched the alternative payment model in 2018 to test whether bundling Medicare payments for certain inpatient and outpatient care reduces spending and improves quality, and last year announced plans to extend it through 2025. The extension will adjust the payment methodology in an effort to balance Medicare savings with incentives for model participation; require new convener participants to be Medicare providers, suppliers or ACOs; and provide additional technical assistance. Current participants can simply sign an amended participation agreement to continue to participate in the two-year extension. 
 
For more information, see the CMS fact sheet and register to attend a March 9 webinar on the CMS request for applications.