CMS Proposes Change to Joint, Episodic, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Payment Models

By Emmie Futrell, Class of 2018; Patsy Powers, Partner at Waller; Daniel Patten, Associate at Waller

On August 17, 2017, CMS published a proposed rule that could bring about significant changes to some of its Innovation Center’s major payment models. Specifically, the Proposed Rule would:

  • reduce the number of mandatory geographic area participants of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model;
  • cancel the Episode Payment Models (EPMs) and Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) incentive payment model; and
  • increase the pool of practitioners that qualify under the Advanced Alternative Payment Model.

These changes may be surprising to some as these models are still in their infancy. The CJR model started last year, and the EPMs and CRs were not scheduled to begin until January 1, 2018.

Perhaps the most striking element of the Proposed Rule is the removal of 33 geographic areas (of the currently 64 geographic areas) where participation in the CJR model has been mandatory. Instead, CMS proposes that such hospitals participate in the CJR model on a voluntary basis, especially hospitals with low volume or those located in rural areas. These hospitals are provided with a one-time option whereby continued participation in the CJR model will be left to their discretion. CMS believes that moving the CJR model away from a mandatory requirement will increase the likelihood that providers will participate in future voluntary initiatives. Hospitals that choose to continue participation in the CJR model will receive a target price for these procedures from CMS each year, and the proposed rule includes refinements and clarifications to this payment process.

CMS is accepting public comments on these revisions, which can be electronically submitted here, until October 16, 2017.

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