CMS accepting applications for direct contracting model through July 6

Eligible hospitals can apply through July 6 to participate in the Medicare Direct Contracting Model, which will offer two primary care payment options for hospitals beginning next April.

The model is open to hospitals that employ clinicians as well as to critical access hospitals and rural health clinics. CMS has postponed the implementation period for aligning beneficiaries, which will start in October rather than July. Hospitals accepted to participate in the model can defer their start date and participate with the model’s second cohort in January 2022 if they choose.