June 3 2020 – The table attacehed describes adjustments that have been made or that CMS will be making to certain Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center Models to address the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The table specifically focuses on model adjustments related to financial methodologies, quality reporting, and model timelines.
The Innovation Center model adjustments described here are not exhaustive; Innovation Center has already implemented several changes and there is the potential for future adjustments, as the COVID-19 PHE continues to evolve. Additional information about each of these model adjustments is available here (https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/covid-19-flexibilities).
We used the following principles to determine which changes are appropriate:
• Utilize flexibilities that already exist in current model design
• Continue sufficient financial incentives that encourage higher quality outcomes to
participate in value based arrangements
• Ensure equity and consistency across models
• Align as much as possible with national value based and quality payment programs.
• Minimize risk to both model participants, the Medicaid program, and the Medicare
Trust Funds
• Minimize delays in new model implementation while providing additional opportunities
for participation in new models
• Minimize reporting burden
• Complements and builds off of new CMS COVID-19 PHE flexibilities as outlined in
regulation and waivers Additional information regarding the implementation of these changes will be provided to model participants by CMS, and such changes may involve amendments to participation agreements and other model documents. We also note that, based on the future evolution of the COVID-19 PHE, there is a possibility that the implementation of new models may be further delayed.
This document supplements emergency rules and waivers granted under section 1135 of the Act
specifically to address the COVID-19 PHE. Additional information is available at:
https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/
Current-Emergencies-page
