Medicare chief steps down
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Principal Deputy Administrator Jonathan Blum is stepping down from his post after more than five years on the job.
CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner informed staff of his departure in an internal email, according to Reuters.
“Under Jon's leadership, the Medicare program has served as one of our primary drivers to shift our healthcare system to reward quality, care improvement and value,” Tavenner wrote. “The Medicare team's accomplishments are too many to list, but include developing the [accountable care organization] regulations, implementing our quality framework for Medicare Advantage plans, implementing our competitive bidding program for durable medical supplies and developing many of our value-based payment strategies.”
Blum also assisted with the highly anticipated release of physician Medicare payment data earlier this month.
He reportedly is leaving the position to take on unspecified “new opportunities,” according to Reuters.