CMS seeks practices to participate in new primary care medical home model

Eligible practices in 14 regions may apply through Sept. 15 to participate in the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model, a five-year medical home model beginning in January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today. The multi-payer model, announced in April, will build on the Comprehensive Primary Care model to help practices support patients with serious or chronic diseases. CMS has provisionally selected to partner with 57 payers in the 14 regions, including commercial payers and state Medicaid agencies. Track 1 practices will continue to receive Medicare fee-for-service payments, while Track 2 practices will receive a mixture of up-front CPC payment and reduced Medicare fee-for-service payment. Track 2 practices must provide more comprehensive services for patients with complex medical and behavioral health needs and obtain a commitment from their health information technology vendors to support related health IT capabilities. Both tracks also will be eligible for performance-based incentive payments. For more information, see the CMS factsheet.