New CMS payment and delivery model to combat the opioid crisis for children

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday announced a new payment and service delivery model as part of a multi-pronged strategy to combat the nation’s opioid crisis. The goals of the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model are to improve the quality of care for children under 21 years of age covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, reduce avoidable inpatient stays and out-of-home placement, and create sustainable alternative payment models, according to CMS.
 
The InCK Model will support states and local providers in their efforts to conduct early identification and treatment of children with health-related needs across settings. Participants will be required to integrate care coordination and case management across physical and behavioral health and other local service providers to deliver child-and family-centered care. Through the APM that is developed through this model, states and local providers will share accountability for cost and outcomes, CMS said.
 
CMS’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Center anticipates releasing a notice of funding opportunity this fall with additional details on how state Medicaid agencies and local health and community-based organizations can apply to participate in the model. CMS intends to award funding for up to eight states at a maximum of $16 million each as early as next spring to implement the seven-year model.