On November 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) announced that it published a final rule (CMS-5524-F and IFC)
officially canceling mandatory hip fracture and cardiac bundled
payment models, as well as the Episode Payment Models and Cardiac
Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model that were due to go into
effect on January 1, 2018.
The final rule also implements changes to the Comprehensive Care
for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model. According to CMS, the changes
"will offer greater flexibility and choice for hospitals in
providing care to Medicare patients," including making
participation voluntary for all low-volume and rural hospitals, and
are consistent with the Administration's focus on voluntary
initiatives rather than mandated bundled payment models.
In conjunction with the final rule, CMS also issued an Interim
Final Rule with Comment Period in which it is establishing and
seeking comment on a final policy to provide flexibility in
determining episode costs for participant hospitals located in
areas impacted by "extreme and uncontrollable
circumstances," such as the major hurricanes of 2017.
CMS issued a technical fact sheet summarizing the changes in the
final rule and interim final rule. More information on the
Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model may be found on the
CMS Innovation Center's website.
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