CMS Announces CMMI Model Flexibilities in light of COVID-19 Response; Commitment to VBP Remains Strong
Written by Kalin Scott
Last week, in a Health Affairs blog post, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced updates to current and future Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) value-based payment (VBP)/alternative payment models (APMs) in response to COVID-19. In the post, Administrator Verma positioned the changes to support the CMS goal of “advancing innovative payment and service delivery models to help move our health care system from one that pays for volume to one that rewards providers for keeping patients healthy, improving health outcomes, and lowering costs.” The updates demonstrate CMS’s continued commitment to APMs and firm position that through widespread adoption of VBP, providers can count on “stable, predictable” revenue to withstand challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS released a chart outlining adjustments to these models, which include an one-year extension to the NextGen ACO model, and a pushed start date for the Direct Contracting performance period (from January 1, 2021 to April 1, 2021.)
In response to the demands placed on providers through the pandemic, Verma explains that these flexibilities intend to give providers more time to transition to value-based care and delay some reporting requirements. Additionally, some models will see adjustments to risk sharing and cost targets/benchmarks, to ensure providers aren’t at risk for costs that were incurred entirely due to the pandemic. The updates primarily relate to modifying timelines, risk-sharing requirements and quality measure reporting.
What does this mean for providers?
Expect to see CMMI continue its commitment to expanding initiatives focused on value-based care and alternative payment models. Additionally, if CMS is doubling down on its CMMI efforts, proviers can expect to see CMS put pressure on state Medicaid programs to continue adoption of VBP approaches, such as New York’s VBP Roadmap. Verma writes “our commitment to value-based care will remain as strong as ever, to support our health care system as our country reopens – and far beyond.” CMMI will work with providers in existing programs on these transitions, and will continue to collect data and feedback on these models to identify lessons learned and develop new strategies.
Read more about all CMMI models here: https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models#views=models
Have more questions or comments? You can find me on Twitter @kalinscot or by email at kalin@helgersonsolutions.com — reach out, I’d love to hear what you think.
