HHS rolled out new financial and patient driven initiatives to aid states’ Medicare and Medicaid programs aimed at lowering costs and boosting quality care during a July 8 conference call.
Here’s what CMS has in store:
New financial models: States will be able to implement at least one of two financial restructuring models where it could enter an agreement with (1) CMS and a secondary payer, the latter of which will receive bonus incentives to provide comprehensive and coordinated care; and/or (2) collaborate with only CMS in a contract permitting the state to benefit from savings resulting from managed fee for service initiatives designed to improve quality and reduce costs for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Nursing home quality care program: Starting later this fall, CMS will implement a nursing home program poised to reduce and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and will start partnering with a few independent nursing home facilities. Example: Nurse practitioners being used to support hospital-nursing home transitions and help prevent falls and infections.
Technical resource center: A hub set to assist any state Medicare or Medicaid program interested in improving care for its most needy and ailing patients.
What’s your opinion? Do you think these initiatives have potential?