CMS Innovation Center

Federal Health Policy Update for February 16

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for February 6-16. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. No Surprises Act A federal judge in Texas has vacated parts of a regulation governing the arbitration process that is a major aspect of implementation of the No Surprises Act. In his ruling, the judge found that the arbitration process unfairly favored payers over providers, most notably by placing undue emphasis on the qualified payment amount (QPA) that is a major part of the arbitration process. The decision explains that “The Court first [...]

iqtsupport2023-02-16T17:02:31-05:00February 16, 2023|Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, COVID-19, health equity, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicare, Medicare post-acute care, Medicare regulations|

Innovation Center Updates Strategy

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has updated its strategy for person-centered innovation. The Innovation Center’s new strategy document, “Person-Centered Innovation – An Update on the Implementation of the CMS Innovation Center’s Strategy,” outlines steps the agency hopes will foster greater coordination and cooperation between primary care providers and medical specialists through the introduction and refinement of new payment models. The new document outlines five strategic objectives: drive accountable care advance health equity support innovation address affordability partner to achieve system transformation In support of these objectives, the Innovation Center describes recent accomplishments – most them process measures rather [...]

iqtsupport2022-11-09T06:00:32-05:00November 9, 2022|Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, CMMI|

Federal Health Policy Update for Wednesday, November 10

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House The White House announced that it will spend $785 million in American Rescue Plan funding to support community-based organizations building vaccine confidence across communities of color, rural areas, and low-income populations; bolster the efforts of Tribal communities leading the way in mitigating the spread of the virus; expand public health systems’ ability to respond to the needs of people with disabilities and older adults who [...]

iqtsupport2021-11-10T17:30:36-05:00November 10, 2021|Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, Coronavirus, COVID-19, MACPAC|

Federal Health Policy Update for Monday, October 25

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, October 25. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Provider Relief Fund: Deadline for Submission is Tuesday, October 26 The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will accept applications for $25.5 billion in health care relief funds until October 26. Go here for further information. HRSA has modified some of the terms for applying for assistance. All applicants must complete the first step of the application process (i.e., submitting their Tax Identification Number (TIN) and associated information [...]

iqtsupport2021-10-25T17:14:51-04:00October 25, 2021|Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC|

Innovation Center Unveils Blueprint

The CMS Innovation Center has published a document that shares its strategic direction for the coming years. Driving Health System Transformation – A Strategy for the CMS Innovation Center’s Second Decade reviews the lessons the agency has learned over the past ten years and lays out its objectives for the next ten: Drive Accountable Care – increase the number of people in a care relationship for quality and total cost of care. Advance Health Equity – embed health equity in every aspect of CMS Innovation Center models and increase focus on underserved populations. Support Care Innovation – leverage a range [...]

iqtsupport2021-10-21T13:00:01-04:00October 21, 2021|Alternative payment models, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, CMMI|