CMS interim rule delays bundled payment programs

Editor's Note

In an interim final rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed expansion of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) bundled payment program and  implementation of its bundled payment programs for cardiac care from July 1 to October 1, 2017, the March 20 Modern Healthcare reports.

For a second time, CMS is delaying the effective date of a final rule for implementation of CJR and other bundled payment programs from March 21 to May 20, 2017.

CMS is also delaying its Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model and is considering pushing back implementation of all bundled payment initiatives until 2018. Comments on the interim rule will be received until April 21, 2017.

The CMS has delayed the expansion of a major bundled payment pilot, Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement, and the implementation of its bundled payment initiatives for cardiac care from July 1 to Oct. 1, 2017, according to an interim final rule posted to the Federal Register.