CMS Announces Voluntary Bundled Payment Model

The CMS announced recently announced the launch of a new voluntary bundled payment model that will cover multiple specialties and care services, according to a press release.

The new model, known as the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced), will include 32 different clinical episodes, such as major joint replacements and percutaneous coronary interventions. The new model covers 29 inpatient services and 3 outpatient services.

Unlike the cardiac and hip replacement models that were recently cancelled by the CMS, participation in BPCI Advanced will be voluntary. Participation in the BPCI Advanced will count as an alternative payment model under MACRA reimbursement. Performance will be measured using seven quality measures, which include hospital readmission and advance care plan measure.

“CMS is proud to announce this Administration’s first Advanced APM,” Seema Verma, MPH, administrator of the CMS said in the press release. “BPCI Advanced builds on the earlier success of bundled payment models and is an important step in the move away from fee-for-service and towards paying for value. Under this model, providers will have an incentive to deliver efficient, high-quality care.”

Intent for participation in the program must be reported to CMS by March 12, 2018, with the first reporting period beginning on October 1, 2018.

—David Costill

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