CMS’ Innovation Center unveiled the Direct Contracting Model in April 2019 as part of an initiative that includes several new payment options for healthcare organizations. Directing Contracting includes two payment model options aimed at reducing expenditures and improving quality of care. The DC payment models begin this year with an initial implementation period, and the first performance year begins in January 2021.
Here are key dates for the Direct Contracting Model:
Feb. 25: Implementation period application closes
March 31: Performance year 1 application opens
May 1: Performance year 1 application closes
Late May: CMS will announce implementation period awards and release IP participation agreement
Late June: Deadline for direct contracting entities to sign the IP participation agreement
July 1: Implementation period begins
Early August: CMS will announce performance year 1 awards
Late August: CMS will provide directional and benchmarking data to IP and performance year 1 awardees to help inform participation decisions
Late September: Performance year 1 provider list due from direct contracting entities
Dec. 31: Performance year 1 participation agreement signing deadline
Jan. 1, 2021: Performance year 1 begins
Access additional information about the Direct Contracting Model here.
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