CMS announces Direct Contracting Model participants, updates resources

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Oct. 30 announced the participation of 51 Direct Contracting Entities in the implementation period of the Global and Professional Options of the Direct Contracting Model.

The model is a set of three voluntary payment options aimed at reducing expenditures and improving quality of care for beneficiaries in Medicare fee-for-service. The period started Oct. 1 and will go through March 31, 2021; the DCEs are serving beneficiaries in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also announced new and updated publications on in its Direct Contracting webpage. These resources include: an update to the published DC Rate Book; an updated version of FAQs; and a revised version of the DC Risk Adjustment paper.