HHS launches alternative payment model for Medicare chemotherapy patients
About 200 physician practices, including hospital-based practices, and 17 commercial insurers will begin participating July 1 in an alternative payment model for fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today. Practices in the five-year Oncology Care Model will receive a monthly payment of $160 per beneficiary to provide care coordination, patient navigation, 24/7 access to care and other enhanced services and a performance-based payment for each six-month episode of care. The model’s two-sided risk track will be an Advanced APM under the proposed Quality Payment Program for physicians, CMS said. For a list of participating practices and insurers, visit innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Oncology-Care.