In March, as discussed
here, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
published an interim final rule that delayed the effective date of
planned cardiac care bundled payment initiatives and the expansion
of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model from
July 2017 to October 2017. In a final rule dated May 19, CMS finalized the
delay of the start date for the Episode Payment Models (EPMs) and
Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) Incentive Payment Model to January 1,
2018.
The final rule also set the effective date for changes to the
existing CJR model, which align the CJR with the EPMs, to January
1, 2018. The delay is intended to give CMS adequate time to
undertake notice and comment rulemaking if modifications are
warranted and to give providers additional time to establish EPM
care plans and networks for coordination of care. Additionally, by
delaying the models to January 1, 2018, participant hospitals will
have an additional six months of experience in the models before
downside risk begins. CMS also cited the benefit of aligning the
payment periods with the calendar year.
The new payment models and updated CJR model are intended to
encourage collaboration and sharing of best practices across
provider networks by creating incentives for hospitals that work
with other providers to avoid readmissions and complications.
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