Applications now being accepted for bundled payment initiative

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is currently soliciting applications for the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative.

The initiative will work to align all of the payments for a single episode (e.g., a heart bypass or hip replacement) to encourage improved coordination of care. The hope is that this will lead to both improved quality of care and cost savings for Medicare, and participating clinicians may be able to share in any savings that result.

Interested parties must submit a letter of intent by Sept. 22 for the first stage of the program, or by Nov. 4 for subsequent stages. The program is being run by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which was created last year as part of the Affordable Care Act. More information is available on the CMS website.