CMS delays deadline for opting into bundled-payment initiative
CMS bumped back the due date for providers to opt into the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Advanced model—moving the final date to Aug. 8 from Aug. 1. The move comes in amid growing concerns from those in the industry that claims data were not provided in a timely fashion.
BCPI was launched in January, for providers wanting to take advantage of the 5 percent bonus for participating in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (AAPM) can join the new BPCI.
The voluntary bundle will offer payments for performance on 32 clinical episodes such as major lower extremity joint replacement, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac defibrillator, and back and neck except spinal fusion. Twenty-nine of the included episodes are located in inpatient settings and three are in outpatient settings.
BPCI-A participants will be paid based on quality performance during a 90-day episode of care. Being a bundled payment model, there is financial risk involved for providers. The model would offer clinicians another avenue to enter the AAPM track of the Quality Payment Program set up by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), avoiding the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and becoming eligible for the 5 percent AAPM bonus.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.