AAOS Encouraged by Announcement of BPCI Advanced Payment Model

Washington, DC--Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new voluntary bundled payment model that will qualify as an Advanced Alternative Payment Model (Advanced APM) under the Quality Payment Program. This new model, called “Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced” (BPCI Advanced), requires participants to bear financial risk, have payments under the model tied to quality performance, and use Certified Electronic Health Record Technology. By meeting these requirements, participants can earn the Advanced APM incentive payment.

Free Webinar: BPCI Advanced – the Future is Now!
Date: February 21, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CT
Register online here: https://www.aaos.org/calendar/event/?productId=11314925&ssopc=1

The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has continually requested opportunities for specialty participation within the Advanced APM track of the Quality Payment Program and has specifically anticipated the release of an advanced BPCI model. While we have some initial concerns – including the semi-annual reconciliations and benchmark price consideration – AAOS appreciates this announcement and looks forward to ensuring interested orthopaedic surgeons have the tools and resources to participate.

“Orthopaedic surgeons have been leaders in developing, implementing, and evaluating bundled payment models, yet specialty opportunities within the Advanced APM track have been limited,” stated Wilford K. Gibson, MD, Chair of the AAOS Council on Advocacy. “This new model starts to remedy that issue. We are hopeful that BPCI Advanced will serve to improve and coordinate patient care while qualifying orthopaedic surgeons under the Advanced APM track. We will continue to work with CMS to increase opportunities for specialty participation within the Quality Payment Program and to ensure physician payment reform ultimately improves the care of musculoskeletal patients.”

“CMS is proud to announce this Administration’s first Advanced APM,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “BPCI Advanced builds on the earlier success of bundled payment models and is an important step in the move away from fee-for-service and towards paying for value. Under this model, providers will have an incentive to deliver efficient, high-quality care.”

According to CMS, BPCI Advanced participants may receive payments for performance on 32 different clinical episodes, including major joint replacement of the lower extremity, and may report quality improvement and patient safety measures via a registry. The Model Performance Period for BPCI Advanced starts on October 1, 2018 and runs through December 31, 2023. For more information about the model and its requirements, or to download a Request for Applications document (RFA), the application template, and the necessary attachments, please visit: https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/bpci-advanced. Applications must be submitted via the Application Portal, which will close on 11:59 pm EST on March 12, 2018.

The CMS Innovation Center will hold a Q&A Open Forum on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 12pm – 1pm EDT. This event is open to those who are interested in learning more about the model and how to apply. Register here: https://preaward.adobeconnect.com/e3cdwg6hgx9f/event/registration.html.

For more information on Advanced APMs from AAOS, visit www.aaos.org/QPP.

For more information on AAOS’ registry, the American Joint Replacement Registry visit: www.ajrr.net.

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